Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho says his relationship with youngster Ruben Loftus-Cheek has taken “one step back” after a perceived lacklustre display in Tuesday’s friendly victory over Sydney.
Big things are expected from the 19-year-old and Mourinho has previously suggested that the youngster would feature prominently in his first-team plans next season.
However, Loftus-Cheek, who was subbed during the 1-0 win at the ANZ Stadium, did little to enhance his burgeoning reputation according to the Portuguese, who has blasted him from a work-shy display.
“When Chelsea had the ball he was playing very well, but when Sydney had the ball I think he was more impressed by watching Matic and Mikel work, instead of him working,
“So, with Ruben, it’s one step back in terms of my relationship with him. If he doesn’t know what it is to play for me and Chelsea it’s one step back.
“He has to learn that at 19 you have to run three times more than the others, you have to play to your limits and not play like a superstar with the ball at your feet because this is not Under-18s.
“The Under-18 competition is too easy for him. He’s too good to play in the Under-18s but I don’t accept that when he’s playing in midfield with Mikel and Matic when we don’t have the ball he doesn’t press, doesn’t have intensity and he’s waiting for everybody else to recover the ball.
“I don’t accept that in the superstars so how can I accept that in a kid? He has to learn what it takes to play for us.”
Chelsea fans – let us know your views in the comments below.
One quick correction. RLC is NOT a young striker he is a midfield player and Jose uses the lad as a DM player.
Mourinho is absolutely right to pull RLC up by his boot laces as his recent media fame seems to have gone to the lads head. He has all of the talent in the World to make it to the very top but because he is so naturally gifted as a footballer, my guess is that he has never had to try as hard as others in games. Well he’s with the big boys now and the real stars at Chelsea FC and Jose has no room or appreciation of show-boaters or those not prepared to put a shift in. Hopefully RLC will apologize to his team mates, his Manager and the fans for his inept performance and lack of sheer effort. He has mainly let himself down and disappointed so many Chelsea fans with his poor performance in Australia. If it hadn’t been for our senior players who have all had a long and hard season Chelsea could have easily lost this game no thanks to a lazy and decidedly inept performance by the young Ruben. Give yourself a good shake and a stiff talking to lad and do your undoubted talents a huge favour by doing what is necessary when you don a Chelsea shirt. In this first team that means being prepared to run through a brick wall for Jose and your team mates.
Jose M. you are right, put fire on him, he is not a superstar. he must work heard.
Mou should be tough so that th young dude knows whats expected of him… He has to be a team player…. He needs “baptism by fire”… CFC is a great club wth its own standards…