West Ham midfielder Nolberto Solano has provided a glimpse into Claudio Pizarro's frustration at life on the sidelines at Chelsea.Pizarro, Solano's fellow Peru international, was signed from Bayern Munich by Jose Mourinho but he has not started a league game since January 12.

Since then, Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou have both returned from the African Nations Cup while Chelsea splashed out on France international Nicolas Anelka.

Pizarro has only scored twice for Chelsea all season and he has had to settle for snatches of action off the bench ever since Avram Grant took charge at Stamford Bridge.

Solano said: "It is difficult for Claudio as Mourinho signed him and he then had to leave the club.

"He is a good player but it is difficult when you play up front and if you don't score goals.

"Drogba is very important in the system they play and they bought Anelka so it is a big challenge for him to try and improve more and, if he has the chances, to take them.

"Especially at a club like Chelsea, you need to perform well. At the moment it is difficult for him to get into the team."

Pizarro's last appearance for Chelsea was against Huddersfield in the fifth round of the FA Cup and he may well get a chance in the quarter-final tie with Barnsley at the end of an important week.

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