Loftus-Cheek staying at Chelsea – for now

Maurizio Sarri has insisted that Ruben Loftus-Cheek will not leave Chelsea on loan this month.

It follows reports that the England midfielder could move to Spain or Germany, where the transfer window remains open until next week.

Loftus-Cheek is keen to continue playing first-team football, having spent last season on loan at Crystal Palace.

He has been overlooked by Blues head coach Sarri, who has the likes of Cesc Fabregas, N’Golo Kante, Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic at his disposal.

But Sarri says Loftus-Cheek will nevertheless remain at Stamford Bridge – at least until his situation is reviewed in the weeks before the transfer window reopens in January.

Sarri said: “I have spoken with him twice this week, after I spoke with the club. Loftus-Cheek will remain with us.

“We can speak again about his situation but I think only in December.”

Cahill ‘needs to be patient’

Sarri has also spoken to Gary Cahill, who is another player to have been overlooked so far this season.

The England international started last term as captain but lost his place in the Chelsea side during the campaign and again finds himself on the fringes.

Sarri suggested that Cahill needs more time to adapt to the way the Italian wants to play.

“I told him that he needs to be patient but that he is very important for us,” Sarri revealed.

“I think at this moment it is more difficult for a defender to play in my team after only 20 days of training.

“It’s easier I think for offensive players, but for a defender it’s more difficult. So I think in this moment he needs to have more training with us.”