The agent of Lucas Piazon has played down his outburst against Chelsea.

Having just left for Rio Ave, the midfielder admitted he was fed-up with the constant loans he's experienced as a Blues player.

But agent Umberto Riva says, "In fact, there is no problem. But that's normal, it's Chelsea, and sometimes newspapers are interested in controversy. We are talking about Chelsea, one of the biggest clubs in the world.

"It's not easy for young players. There was, for Lucas, 'abnormal' competition, with great players in his position, and it's clearly not easy to play there."

Riva added: "We are sure that will be good at Rio Ave. The club wants him, it's a two-year loan. And it's a club that, behind the big three of the championship, is still fighting to reach Europe.

"If Chelsea did not think he had a future, they would not have offered him a new contract. Chelsea is a very decent club. We decided together to continue, to renew together. The best choice to continue his career was to go on loan this season. Rio Ave was the best project for Lucas."