Loftus-Cheek reckons he’s achieving mission impossible at Chelsea – in winning over Sarri

RUBEN LOFTUS-CHEEK believes he is on the road to achieving the impossible — making Maurizio Sarri change his mind.

At the start of the season, the stubborn Chelsea boss said Loftus-Cheek did not have the attributes to play in midfield in his system.

But after the 23-year-old starred in that role in the 5-0 romp in Kiev on Thursday night, Sarri claimed he could become one of the best midfielders in Europe.

Reminded of his manager’s previous comments, Loftus-Cheek said: “We had a chat and I told him that eventually I want to be a midfielder. He respects that.

“I see myself as a No8, to get up and down. Early in your career you want to play anywhere, just to play.

“Wherever I play, I will do my best. In Kiev I was in midfield. It was perfect for me to get that fitness in midfield in my legs.”

The Kiev game was the first in which Loftus-Cheek had played 90 minutes since the Carabao Cup tie against Bournemouth in December.

And the fact remains that he has started as many games for England this season as he has Premier League matches for Chelsea… one.

Last season he was in Crystal Palace’s starting XI for 21 top-flight matches as a loan player.

But Loftus-Cheek insists this campaign has not been a step backwards for him so far.

He explained: “At the start of the season I wasn’t playing too much but I worked my way into coming on a lot and playing a lot, especially in the cup games.

“I was making some big steps until I got injured.

“I can’t say I’ve taken a step back at all. That’s just what happened. I have to deal with it as a footballer and I think I’ve come out of this stronger. I’m learning about my body.

“Hopefully I’ve learnt a lot about my back, to keep that comfortable.”

Loftus-Cheek was in tears after the recurrence of a back problem forced him off the field during Chelsea’s FA Cup third-round tie against Nottingham Forest in January.

But throughout the ups and downs of his season, he has felt the love from the England set-up.

Ex-Chelsea coach Steve Holland, now Gareth Southgate’s assistant, rang to check on him during his rehabilitation.

And Southgate has given him another boost, picking him for the forthcoming Euro 2020 qualifiers.

Loftus-Cheek said: “It’s great for me that Gareth has put faith in me. I’ve worked with Gareth a lot, in the World Cup and previous to that in the Under-21s. He knows me well.

“I’m grateful that I’ve been called up to England again. To represent my country is massive for me. There’s a lot of competition right now for places in the squad.”

It is fair to say that Sarri is not yet as dedicated a member of the RLC Fan Club as Southgate.

But Loftus-Cheek says there is more to come from him — and from Chelsea, who have taken the positives from the Carabao Cup final penalties defeat by Manchester City.

Ahead of the visit to Everton today Loftus-Cheek said: “I thought we did really well defensively against one of the best teams in Europe.

“That gave us a lot of confidence to press on but we believe there is so much more to improve for us.

“Around November, I was doing quite well and felt good before my back injury. If I can get to that point quickly, I would be really happy.”