Chelsea players looking for a move away from Stamford Bridge this year may be left disappointed, defender Andreas Christensen said on Monday.

He said he has been told the club would hold on to the entire squad as they appeal their transfer ban.

Chelsea were handed a one-year transfer ban by FIFA last month and fined 600,000 Swiss Francs (457,138 pounds) after they were found guilty of breaching rules on under-18 overseas players.

The club have appealed against the decision but said they were “astonished” when the governing body denied their request to freeze the ban during the appeals progress.

Christensen, who has made just three English Premier League (EPL) starts this season, has been linked with Bayern Munich and FC Barcelona.

But now the Dane may have to make peace with remaining in London.

“The messages we’ve got are that Chelsea can’t appeal the case and therefore want to keep all the players,” the 22-year-old told Danish newspaper Ekstra Bladet.

“The situation I have ended up in has been very difficult to accept.”

Chelsea’s ban may also complicate the future of talisman Eden Hazard, who said last year it was his dream to play for Real Madrid.

British media have since reported that talks over a contract extension have been put on hold.

Christensen, meanwhile, is looking for opportunities to impress manager Maurizio Sarri in the UEFA Europa League as he bids to establish a starting position.

Chelsea face Slavia Prague in the quarter-finals of the Europa League next month.