Maurizio Sarri predicts Chelsea’s Ruben Loftus-Cheek will be ‘a great player’

• Sparkling performances force Chelsea to rethink loan plan
• Chelsea considering futures of Batshuayi and Abraham

Chelsea have ruled out sending Ruben Loftus-Cheek on loan in January after the England midfielder’s recent impressive form but the club are considering the futures of Michy Batshuayi and Tammy Abraham before the transfer window.

Loftus-Cheek has still started only once in the Premier League this season but has been involved in all seven of Chelsea’s matches in all competitions since the end of November and has demonstrated clear improvements with increased playing time. A number of clubs, including Crystal Palace and West Ham, had been monitoring the 22-year-old’s situation with a view to submitting a loan offer but Maurizio Sarri now considers Loftus-Cheek a key member of his first-team squad. The player still craves more league starts but it is understood he is less inclined now to push for a move mid-season.

Continue reading...