Chelsea boss explains midfielder’s omission from Southampton win

Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri has stated that Ruben Loftus-Cheek was not selected for the squad to face Southampton after playing 70 minutes in the Europa League.

The England international started for the Blues on Thursday for the first time since January 2017, playing 70 minutes of the victory over Vidi at Stamford Bridge.

22-year-old Loftus-Cheek was then omitted from Sunday’s squad for the 3-0 win over Southampton and Sarri confirmed that there was no injury sustained by the player. Quoted by Football.London, he said:

“I preferred for him after 70 minutes in the last match for the first time in the season, I preferred for him to have training.”

Loftus-Cheek has struggled for opportunities this season following the summer acquisitions of Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic, while added competition has also been provided by Ross Barkley’s rise.

His lack of action meant that Loftus-Cheek was not selected by Gareth Southgate for England’s games against Croatia and Spain this month.