Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has reportedly “slammed the door” on West Ham’s attempted move for Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
The Mirror claim that the Hammers are eyeing up a January loan deal for the promising England midfielder, as they look to boost their squad depth.
Sarri is believed to have firmly rejected the offer, however, seeing him as an important squad member this season.
The 22-year-old has found himself a peripheral figure for the Blues in 2018/19, failing to start a Premier League game and making just three appearances in the competition.
An imposing midfield of Jorginho, N’Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic has kept him out of the team, as well as the improved form of Ross Barkley.
YouTube: Ruben Loftus-Cheek • Starboy – Amazing Dribbling Skills, Goals, Passes | HD
Sarri clearly values Loftus-Cheek as a player, however, and a hat-trick in the Europa League against Bate Borisov last month was proof of what he can offer.
The youngster may be finding it frustrating to earn playing time at Stamford Bridge, but 2018 has still been a breakthrough year for him.
A string of impressive performances during a loan spell at Crystal Palace saw him called up to Gareth Southgate’s World Cup squad, where he appeared four times for the Three Lions.
His potential is there for all to see and he will be waiting in the wings should an injury to one of Sarri’s key men occur.
