Mourinho fumes at Loftus-Cheek: Our relationship has suffered

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.”

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