According to Sky Sport Italia (h/t Metro), Maurizio Sarri wants Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek to be his first signing at Lazio. The former Chelsea boss is scheduled to take over the empty managerial helm at the Rome-based side next season. Loftus-Cheek played under Sarri at Chelsea in 2019.
The midfielder spent this season out on loan at Fulham after an Achilles injury at the end of the 2018-19 season meant he had to fight his way back into the Chelsea XI. But the Blues have succeeded without him in the team and we look at why letting him leave would make sense for Thomas Tuchel.
Loftus-Cheek is no longer the youngest bloke you’d find in the Chelsea team. At 25, he is nearing an age where players usually perform at the peak. But instead of being around the Chelsea starting XI, he had to make do with a loan spell to the now-relegated Fulham.
He is no longer a youth prospect. A significant portion of his career was affected by the aforementioned injury. But for Chelsea, it means that the clock is ticking on Loftus-Cheek and it is wise to cash in. While 25 is a great physical age for any footballer, it is one where they should start regularly.
And that brings us to our next point. Chelsea already have a stacked midfield. N’Golo Kante, Jorginho, and Mateo Kovacic are competing for the two spots in central midfield under Thomas Tuchel. And apart from them, the Blues also a plethora of attacking midfielders who can fill in when needed.
It would be wise of Tuchel to give some game time to youngsters like Billy Gilmour instead of Loftus-Cheek, who would be 26 by the end of next season. The Blues have ample depth in midfield, with Ross Barkley and Conor Gallagher also returning from their loan spells.
Moreover, Loftus-Cheek did not manage to do enough at Fulham. The midfielder was played in attacking positions by Scott Parker but ended the season with 33 games, 1 goal and no assists.
It’s not like Loftus-Cheek hasn’t had his chances. He made 22 league appearances for Chelsea before he was loaned to Crystal Palace in 2017. Even this season, Loftus-Cheek played for the Blues under Frank Lampard. But his performance was so woeful that Gary Neville claimed that he was out of chances – which is exactly what happened as he was then loaned to Fulham that month.
“Loftus-Cheek, he’s been given his chance. I thought he was really disappointing. I don’t think Loftus-Cheek can complain. He’s been given games. I don’t think he’s ever grasped his chance yet. There’s going to come a point when they’re going to cash in and get £25million for him.”
Chelsea, as of last month, value him at £20million, while he is earning £120,000-a-week in wages. This means a sale could mean a monetary gain for the Blues, who can then invest it elsewhere.
