Tag Archives: Ruben Loftus-Cheek

Mateo Kovacic not contemplating about his future beyond Chelsea

Croatia international Mateo Kovacic has indicated that he is not contemplating about his club future beyond the current campaign. The midfielder made the season-long loan to Chelsea from Real Madrid during the previous transfer window and he has since been a regular feature under Maurizio Sarri with 15 appearances across all competitions.

Speaking in press conference, Kovacic highlighted that he is pleased to have made the move to Stamford Bridge during the summer and he is enjoying the proceedings under the tutelage of Maurizio Sarri. He added that he is not thinking what will happen beyond the current campaign where he may have to return to the Bernabeu.
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Posted on November 24, 2018 by by

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Chelsea boss refuses to guarantee regular gametime for Loftus-Cheek

Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri does not believe he can guarantee regular gametime for Ruben Loftus-Cheek despite his stunning performance against BATE Borisov in the Europa League. Loftus-Cheek has barely featured for the Blues since the start of the current campaign but he managed to excel during the midweek European game against BATE where he came up with his maiden hat-trick in a comfortable 3-1 win.

Speaking in a press conference, Sarri acknowledged that Loftus-Cheek has managed to adapt to his style of play but that may not assure him of regular gametime, he said: “We have four midfielders and three of them have the same characteristics. They are offensive midfielders, only one has other characteristics – [N’Golo] Kante is a defensive midfielder. So it is very difficult to put in the starting XI two midfielders with the same characteristics. We have a tactical problem with the midfielders. At the beginning of the season he [Loftus-Cheek] was a very good player and now he is a good player that is more suited to my style of football.”
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Posted on November 10, 2018 by by

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Maurizio Sarri explains Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s absence versus Southampton

Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has indicated that Ruben Loftus-Cheek was only rested for the recent Premier League game versus Southampton. The England international made his maiden start for the Blues during the midweek Europa League triumph over MOL Vidi but this was however not deemed sufficient enough for him to feature against the Saints.

Speaking after the 3-0 away win over Southampton, Sarri indicated that the midfielder may not be prepared yet to secure a regular role and he would prefer to see more of him in training, he said: “No, not at the moment. After 70 minutes in the last match, for the first time this season, I preferred for him to have training.”
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Posted on October 17, 2018 by by

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Roy Hodgson backs Loftus-Cheek to represent England at the World Cup

Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson believes midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek should be picked by England for the upcoming World Cup finals in Russia. The 22-year-old joined the Eagles on a season-long loan from Chelsea last summer and he has since been one of the club’s standout performers despite missing four months of action with a knee injury.

Speaking ahead of Palace’s game against West Bromwich Albion, Hodgson suggested that Loftus-Cheek should be considered by the Three Lions and he would have done so, should he have remained in charge of the national team. Hodgson said: “Yes. I don’t wish to suggest anybody to (England boss) Gareth Southgate, because it’s his decision alone, and I don’t want to be seen to be pushing any player towards him. (But) if it was a much more specific question; if it was me selecting the squad, would I find a place for him in the squad, I would.”
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Loftus-Cheek’s performances have certainly not gone unspotted this campaign and he was offered his maiden cap with England back in November where he put in a man of the match display against Germany. The Chelsea graduate could not replicate his showing in the next outing versus Brazil but he nevertheless impressed Southgate, who believed his progress was halted at Stamford Bridge.

England are presently short of efficient options in midfield with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain already ruled out with a season-ending injury and this could bring Loftus-Cheek into the mix, considering Southgate does not have a fitness assurance when dealing with the likes of Adam Lallana and Jack Wilshere.

Liverpool’s James Milner has been another talked out in the media but the 32-year-old is not keen on coming out of international retirement after the way he was treated at the European Championship in France. The ex-Aston Villa man managed just three minutes for England during a dismal tournament where they suffered a shock exit to Iceland in the round of 16 stage.

Posted on July 17, 2018 by by

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