Date: 20th March 2015 at 4:08pm
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Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has said that he may use the ‘superb evolution’ of highly-rated youngster Ruben Loftus-Cheek as a reason to drop out of the race to sign Paul Pogba.

The towering midfielder, 19, has emerged as one of the club’s brightest prospects from youth level and made his senior debut in the 3-1 Champions League win over Sporting Lisbon in December.

Speculation has mounted that Mourinho could rival Manchester United for Juventus midfielder Pogba – rated at around £55 million – this summer, with Real Madrid seemingly ending their interest.

However, the Portuguese has played down a big-money move for the Frenchman, 22, and revealed that he expects Loftus-Cheek to be a prominent member of his side next term.

“I think he will be a player to compete for a position. Now is the moment to protect him,” he told reporters.

“If in this moment we were sixth or seventh, he would play. But Ruben is a player I expect to compete for a place in the team next season, his evolution is superb.

“I don’t speak about Pogba or other players. We look to our midfield players and between Fabregas, Matic, Ramires, Ruben, we have a good group.”

Would Chelsea be right to end their pursuit of Pogba in favour of giving Loftus-Cheek a chance? Let us know in the comments below.

 

4 responses to “Mourinho: Who needs Pogba? We have Loftus-Cheek”

  1. Zack says:

    Chelsea should give loftus-cheek and some of our loaned players to prove to d world what dey can do wit d 1st Team.

  2. akeem sulaimon says:

    Am not sure of what jose said, mourinho like ready made players so he can stil go for pogba. Up chelsea!

  3. Gumathi chaule says:

    Nathan ake should be given a chance.

  4. James says:

    Mourinho can never be trusted when it comes to given young players chance to prove themself from Chelsea Academy. Jose believe in establish players that will cost Chelsea huge sum of money to buy. In past, Chelsea academy have produce one of the finest players in world football but Mourinho do not trust them because Mr Jose is result Oriented Coach and always put himself under pressure to deliever because of the kind of huge money he spent in buying players.