Chelsea Midfielder Given Deadline to Decide Future as Bundesliga Clubs Prowl

Chelsea midfielder Kevin de Bruyne is being urged to make up his mind over his immediate future at Stamford Bridge with a number of Bundesliga clubs monitoring his future.

The Belgian international has been involved in just two of the Blues' last nine games after falling out of favour with manager Jose Mourinho following a poor performance in the League Cup win over Swindon Town.

De Bruyne was forced to train with the club's Under-21 side, sparking rumours he may leave west London on a third loan spell in as many seasons, after time with former club Genk and then Werder Bremen last season.

After being named as an unnamed substitute for the win over Cardiff City last month, his first return to a matchday squad for four weeks, De Bruyne made cameo appearances against Arsenal in the League Cup and Schalke in the Champions League, a sign Mourinho hasn't completely banished the 22 year old.

But his continued marginalisation from the Chelsea first-team has been noticed by a number of clubs, Schalke and general manager Horst Heldt says the club are waiting for the midfielder to make a decision over his future.

"There are numerous clubs, in Germany too, that are dealing with De Bruyne and who can imagine this," Heldt told Sky Germany.

"In the end it is down to the player and the club. And the clocks are ticking there a little differently [at Chelsea].

"The bosses at the club decide what will happen. Kevin de Bruyne has to take his decision whether he wants to do something in January, too.

"All of this is speculation. The only thing I can tell you, is that lots of clubs are monitoring him."

After Mourinho pledged to give De Bruyne regular first-team football this season, the youngster started two of Chelsea's first three league games including the trip to Manchester United but a performance which was deemed inadequate against Swindon saw him dismissed from first-team affairs.