Chelsea

Maurizio Sarri: 'Ruben Loftus-Cheek has to improve'

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 31 August 2018

Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri insists that Ruben Loftus-Cheek will prove to be an "important" member of his side, but calls on him to improve tactically first.

Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has said that Ruben Loftus-Cheek still needs to improve tactically before he can earn a place in his team on a regular basis.

The 22-year-old has made just one substitute appearance from Chelsea's three Premier League games so far this season, with the likes of Jorginho, N'Golo Kante, Ross Barkley and Mateo Kovacic being preferred to the England international.

Loftus-Cheek is understood to have been unhappy with the club's decision to deny him a loan exit this month, but Sarri is confident that he will prove to be an "important" player for the team.

"I am happy with him and he has improved a lot in the last 10 days. I think he will be important and useful, for sure," the Italian told reporters.

"He has to improve in order to play my football. He has great qualities from a physical point of view, and technical point of view. I think he needs to improve from the tactical point of view, nothing else.

"Starting in September, we will play every three days, so Loftus will be very important and useful for us."

Chelsea's next match sees them take on Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.