Maurizio Sarri has declared that there is “no chance” of Ruben Loftus-Cheek leaving Chelsea on loan in January.
The England midfielder scored after coming on as a substitute in Sunday’s derby win over Fulham.
But he has struggled to establish himself as a first-team player under Blues boss Sarri at Stamford Bridge.
Crystal Palace, where he spent last season on loan, would like to take Loftus-Cheek back to Selhurst Park.
The Daily Mirror has claimed that Newcastle, West Ham, Bournemouth and German club Schalke would also like to sign him on loan.
But 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.”
Speaking at a media conference on Tuesday afternoon, Sarri refused to comment on reports Chelsea have submitted a bid for Borussia Dortmund’s Christian Pulisic, saying “it would be unprofessional” to do so.
But the Italian made his views clear on David Luiz and Cesc Fabregas, insisting he wants both players to be given new contracts.
Sarri also revealed that Marcos Alonso and Mateo Kovacic have been passed fit for Wednesday’s game at Wolves despite minor injuries.
This post was last modified on 04/12/2018