Maurizio Sarri reveals why England midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek has failed to start for Chelsea this season

Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri believes England international midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek needs to improve tactically in order to star for The Blues this season.

The Premier League side, who defeated AFC Bournemouth 2-0 at Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon, were linked with sending the central midfielder on loan during the summer transfer window, with the likes of AS Monaco, Schalke and La Liga clubs said to be interested in his services.

The 22-year-old, who has eight international caps for the Three Lions, made his second Premier League appearance for Chelsea this afternoon against Bournemouth, coming on to replace Mateo Kovacic after 79 minutes of play.

However, Loftus-Cheek, who played four times for England at the 2018 FIFA World Cup finals in Russia this summer, has failed to start a match under new boss Sarri so far this term.

The player was said to be considering his future at Stamford Bridge this summer, and pondered a loan move away from the London outfit, but opted to fight for a first-team place in Sarri’s side.

Former Napoli boss Sarri admits he has been impressed by the midfielder’s attitude and efforts in training.

Chelsea’s Ruben Loftus-Cheek in action against Huddersfield Town.

He said, via the Metro, “I can say I’m very happy with him, because in the last 10 days he has improved a lot.

“I’m really very happy with him. I think he will be important for sure.

“Starting in September, we will play every three days. He will be very important and very useful for us.

“I think so [he can push for a start]. It’s not easy to play here because there are 25 very good players, so it’s not easy to play in the starting line-up, but I think he will improve more.

“He has to improve, just in order to play my football.”

Sarri continued, “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.”

Loftus-Cheek is contracted at Chelsea until June 2021, and is valued at £16.2m.