Loftus-Cheek not ready to start games – Sarri

Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri has explained his reluctance to play Ruben Loftus-Cheek, insisting the midfielder’s recent back problem means he is not fit enough to play a full game.

Loftus-Cheek, 23, starred after coming off the bench in the 3-0 win over Dynamo Kiev on Thursday, but he has only started a total of nine games under Sarri.

The England international, who has scored six goals this season, won the free-kick for the second goal and then created the third goal for Callum Hudson-Odoi.

Many pundits and Blues supporters have been urging Sarri to start with Loftus-Cheek, whose dribbling ability and willingness to get forward has already made him a popular figure at Stamford Bridge.

Sarri said that the player’s back injury has been “better” in the past two or three weeks but that caution was needed.

“He’s been training with the team for a few weeks but he’s not in a condition to play 90 minutes,” Sarri added.

“He wasn’t in the starting XI only for this reason.  I think in two or three weeks he will be able to play for 90 minutes.”

Meanwhile, Sarri said Chelsea’s progress in Europe and busy schedule means there is likely to be more changes in the coming weeks, starting with Sunday’s home Premier League match against Wolves.

“Against Dynamo Kiev, we changed seven players and it will be the same for the next match,” Sarri explained.

“It’s difficult to arrive mentally and physically at 100% so for the next match we are able to change six or seven players.

“Jorginho played 50 minutes and Kante 40 minutes, Barkley did 50 and no more. Different players can play in this match.”