Optimistic Marko Marin has no regrets over Chelsea "career" despite little hope of ever playing for the club again

It turns out these quotes are about 10 days old, but they slipped under the radar, very much like Marko Marin's career has ever since joining Chelsea.  Fortunately, they were dredged up as some random website linked the Artist Formerly Known As The German Messi with Liverpool.  While I don't think there's much substance to that rumor at all, Marin's words are interesting enough on their own.

The oft-injured attacking midfielder is currently plying his trade in Turkey, and while Chelsea are apparently keeping close tabs and are "very pleased" with his season, Marko doesn't seem to harbor any illusions of ever having another shot at an actual Chelsea career.

"Chelsea take care of me. Whatever I need in whatever situation I am in: I know Chelsea are there for me. They follow every match I play, and send me an analysis of my performance in every match. Chelsea are very pleased with my season. Representatives of the club come here two, three times a season and talk to those in charge, and see how things go for me."

"[My contact at Chelsea is] Paulo Ferreira. I have played with him, and he is responsible for me. We talk regularly on Skype, once, maybe twice a month, and also write each other. That makes you feel better. It's not like Chelsea just sends you somewhere. I always picked my [loan] clubs."

Since Eddie Newton's (re-)promotion to the coaching staff, Paulo Ferreira's role in working with our loanees has only increased.  I'm always a big fan of seeing our own continue at the club in non-playing roles; Chelsea have done quite well in this regard in recent years, with the likes of Tore Andre Flo, Jody Morris, Andy Myers, Joe Harley, and others.  But back to Marko.

"It's difficult [to fight back into Chelsea's first-team]. You not only need a few good matches at Trabzon, but a very strong year. You never know, but right now it does not look like it."

"I personally thought [in 2012] that it's about time to make the next step. I joined Chelsea and the pre-season was super, until I sustained an injury. [I got] a muscle bundle tear [and was] out for three months. That makes it difficult... I have learned a lot, and have never rued making this step."

"My career only starts now. I am in the best age for a footballer. I have collected a lot of experience, lived in London, Seville, Florence, Brussels, got to know many new languages and leagues. I could have left for the UAE last summer but I want to show my worth in Europe, and I am on a good path."

-Marko Marin; source: kicker via ESPN

Ah, the unbridled optimism of the young mind.  Then again, Marin's not so young anymore: he will turn 27 in less than a month.  But, he is on track to finish this season at Trabzonspor with more minutes played than at any point since 2010-11.  Perhaps this is indeed a last-minute turnaround and he will manage many more useful seasons at some top flight club somewhere.  He will have one more year left on his Chelsea contract this summer; we might even collect a small transfer fee!

Either way, best of luck, German Messi, this season and in the future!