Round-up: Sarri rules out Loftus-Cheek move and wants deals for Blues duo
Maurizio Sarri has declared that there is “no chance” of Ruben Loftus-Cheek leaving Chelsea on loan in January.
The England midfielder has been linked with several clubs ahead of the transfer window.
Sarri said: “I want him to stay with us. So I think there is no chance.
“He played some matches in the Europa League and League Cup. He played five or six matches in the Premier League without starting.
“At the moment he is very important for us. He had some problems to understand what I want but now he is improving and in the last two matches I was really very happy with him.”
Sarri wants new deals for Luiz and Fabregas
Sarri wants David Luiz and Cesc Fabregas to be given new deals by Chelsea but admits negotiations are “difficult” because of their age.
The contracts of both 31-year-olds are due to expire at the end of the season.
“I spoke with the club about this one month ago,” Sarri explained.
“I know very well that it is not easy, but I think we can do a new deal for both.
“They are very important players for us. It is very difficult to find a centre-back for this level and a central midfielder technically like Fabregas. So I think they have to stay with us.”
Chelsea have a policy of only offering one-year contracts to players above the age of 30.
Sarri said: “The deal is very difficult for this reason, I think, because the club want a short contract and the players want a long contract.
“It is difficult for this reason but I think at the end we can find a solution.”
Alonso and Kovacic passed fit
Marcos Alonso and Mateo Kovacic have been passed fit to play for Chelsea at Wolves despite minor injury concerns.
Alonso has been nursing a back problem, while Kovacic was taken off midway through the second half after picking up an ankle injury during the win against Fulham.
“I spoke with the doctor 10 minutes ago and we have no injuries at the moment,” Sarri said.
“We had a little problem with Kovacic in the last match and also Alonso. But for the doctor they are able to play.
“Now we have to see in the last training session just in order to understand if there is somebody tired after the (Fulham) match.”
Confidence not a problem – Wolves boss
Wolves head coach Nuno Espirito Santo insists his side are not suffering from a lack of confidence ahead of their game against Chelsea.
Last season’s Championship winners are enduring their worst run since the Portuguese took charge 18 months ago, having lost five games across a six-match run without a win.
Nuno said: “It is not a lack of confidence, no. A team is like a player, it has ups and downs.
“You have to find solutions to help them and give them good advice and work with them. It doesn’t have to do with confidence, it has to do with so many aspects of the game – technical, tactical, mental – and we have to solve it.
“You have to be cautious of the moment we are in and face it. We have had a block of games with mistakes, from a team which is still growing. When the results don’t come, what is important is how you approach the situation.”
Azpilicueta’s new contract
Cesar Azpilicueta has signed a new four-year contract.
Chelsea announced on Tuesday morning that the Spaniard – who has captained them in the Premier League this season – has committed his future through to 2022.
Rangel deal looks close
QPR appear to be close to finalising an extension to Angel Rangel’s contract.
The veteran right-back, who recently turned 36, has impressed since being signed in August as cover while Darnell Furlong was out with a knee injury.
West London Sport had revealed that Rangel, a free agent after leaving Swansea, was being brought in by the R’s on a short-term contract.
That deal expires next month and Rangers want to keep him until at least the end of the season.
Frank praises players
Thomas Frank praised his players for their spirit after Lewis Macleod’s stoppage-time equaliser rescued a point for Brentford at West Brom.
The Bees looked set for their seventh defeat in eight games since Frank replaced Dean Smith as boss.
But Macleod’s late goal meant they instead picked up their first away point under the Dane.
“We talked before the game about needing to leave everything out there,” said Frank.
“The boys did well in that aspect, everyone could see in the first half we were hanging in there.
“It’s not how we wanted to play but we were playing against the best home side in the division.”
Downes is new AFC Wimbledon boss
Wally Downes has been appointed AFC Wimbledon manager.
The 57-year-old from Hammersmith made more than 200 appearances for Wimbledon as a player during the ‘Crazy Gang’ era of the 1980s.
“I am very proud to be appointed as manager of a club I love dearly,” Downes said.
“I am now looking forward to working flat out to help to keep the club in League One.”
