The agent of Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek has denied any talks with Lazio over a potential summer transfer.
Maurizio Sarri is the current manager of the Serie A side and worked with Loftus-Cheek during his one year managerial spell at Stamford Bridge during the 2018/19 season.
Loftus-Cheek played 40 times in that campaign, scoring 10 and assisting five times, a stellar goal contribution return.
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His impressive season ended in disappointment after rupturing his achilles tendon during a post-season friendly against New England Revolution, leaving him sidelined for months.
The 26-year-old joined Fulham on loan for the 2020/21 campaign before staying under Thomas Tuchel’s tutelage last season, earning chances in the side which saw him make 40 appearances.
Chelsea’s midfield is stacked, full of options and full of quality. Jorginho, N’Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic are all vying for starting roles.
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Conor Gallagher and Billy Gilmour will be added to the selection dilemma when they return to the club for pre-season following their loan spells at Crystal Palace and Norwich City respectively.
What the future holds for Loftus-Cheek remains unclear, but he has received interest from Italy, including Lazio as well as Inter Milan.
Sarri is interested in reuniting with the Englishman but it is not known if Chelsea would be willing to let him leave this summer.
However, his agent Jonathan Barnett has ruled out any discussions but refused to state who his client would be playing for next season.
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“Lazio have not talked to Chelsea that I know of, even if Sarri esteems him and likes Serie A. Let's see what will happen,” Barnett told Il Messaggero.
Despite his bright displays, Thomas Tuchel became frustrated with Loftus-Cheek at the end of last season as he wanted to see the ‘monster in him’, insisting the midfielder needed to trust himself to showcase his full ability.
“In general he is a shy and calm person but he needs to discover the monster in him and unleash this on a regular basis. It is necessary.
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“It is not enough to just be on the pitch, it might seem a good first step given his last years but we cannot let him think that is enough.
“We try every day and I think we are successful given his development.
“He needs to understand his potential and his physical capacity every day in training, he cannot let loose.
"He needs to play every match like a final.”
Topics: Chelsea, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Lazio, Maurizio Sarri, Chelsea Transfer News & Rumours, Transfers, Football
Matthew Debono