Loftus-Cheek presses Chelsea case as Burnley await

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LONDON, Oct 27, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Ruben Loftus-Cheek made a persuasive
argument this week to be included in Chelsea’s starting line-up at Burnley on
Sunday.

The reality is, though, the England midfielder has more work to do to
convince Maurizio Sarri he is ready for an extended run in the Premier
League.

A hat-trick in the Europa League victory over BATE Borisov confirmed the
potential of the 22-year-old, who enjoyed a successful season-long loan spell
at Chelsea’s fellow London club Crystal Palace last term.

His performances last season were enough to win him a place in Gareth
Southgate’s World Cup squad, but back at club level, Loftus-Cheek has found
himself on the fringes of Sarri’s first team and in no doubt the Blues head
coach does not yet believe he is ready to slot into the Italian’s system.

Ever since Sarri arrived at Chelsea in July, he has emphasised the need for
his players to understand the defensive requirements of his possession-based
game. The coach insisted this would take time, although he clearly believes
some members of his squad are adapting quicker than others.

Mateo Kovacic has slotted straight in following his loan move from Real
Madrid while Ross Barkley has won Sarri’s trust, growing in confidence as the
season has progressed and moving ahead of Loftus-Cheek for both club and
country.

When Southgate announced his squad for the most recent international break,
Barkley was included while Loftus-Cheek, at that point restricted to just one
starting appearance this season, found himself left out, prompting
suggestions he would be well-advised to seek a loan move away in January to
maintain the momentum of his young career.

A foot injury has not helped the player, who has come through the ranks at
Chelsea after joining the club at the age of eight.

As a home-grown player, Loftus-Cheek has the backing of Blues supporters
while further afield, his situation this season has contributed to the debate
about the limited opportunities available to young English players at leading
clubs in the Premier League.

But having committed himself to trying to break through at Chelsea, Loftus-
Cheek knows he faces a battle to win Sarri over.

“He is asking me to improve defensively and positionally,” said Sarri. “We
are working on it every day in training and he is very demanding with the
team. He is so demanding on shape, but also wants you to play freely as well,
which is why we can play such free-flowing football. It is really good work.”

Sarri declared himself satisfied with Loftus-Cheek’s early progress as he
assessed the player’s first professional hat-trick, that came on the back of
a display built on the powerful running he showed for Palace and England last
season.

But he also delivered a clear message that the player must get better.

Loftus-Cheek’s willingness to listen, learn and put in the hard yards on
the training ground will determine whether he remains a member of Sarri’s
back-up group of players, restricted to occasional starts in the Europa
League and domestic cup competitions or a key component in a side challenging
for the Premier League title.