Football news - Maurizio Sarri backs Ruben Loftus-Cheek to become one of Europe’s best

ByEurosport

Updated 14/03/2019 at 22:27 GMT

Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has backed midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek to become one of the best in Europe.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek of Chelsea runs with the ball under pressure from Serhiy Sydorchuk of Dynamo Kyiv during the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 Second Leg match between Dynamo Kyiv and Chelsea at NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium on March 14, 2019 in Kiev, Ukraine.

Image credit: Getty Images

Loftus-Cheek, 23, was considered to be one of the most promising players in the world during his time in the Chelsea academy but he has struggled to kick on in his senior career.

The midfielder has suffered from the constant change in the Chelsea dugout, as well as suffering from multiple injuries.

Chelsea's Ruben Loftus-Cheek (L) fights for the ball with Dynamo Kyiv's Vitaliy Mykolenko (R) , during the UEFA Europa League second leg football match between Chelsea FC and FC Dynamo Kyiv at the Olimpiyskiy Stadium in Kiev, Ukraine, on 14 March, 2019

Image credit: Getty Images

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However after a starring role in Chelsea’s 5-0 victory over Dynamo Kiev on Thursday Sarri was full of praise for the England international.

"He did very well. He is improving in the last month," Sarri told BT Sport.

"He has been able to train after the problem with the back. He had a wonderful match and I'm really happy that he could play for 90 minutes.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek of Chelsea is tackled by Tomasz Kedziora of Dynamo Kyiv during the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 Second Leg match between Dynamo Kyiv and Chelsea at NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium on March 14, 2019 in Kiev, Ukraine

Image credit: Getty Images

"His potential as a player is very, very, high. Physically, technically and tactically he is improving.

"I think he can become one of the best midfielders, not only in England but in Europe."

The Blues are through to the quarter-finals of the Europa League after winning 8-0 on aggregate.

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