Recently, Lazio’s official Twitter page hinted towards former Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri being their next manager. The Italian last job was with Juventus where he was sacked just a season later despite winning the Serie A.
Now he is back in the dugout and Sarri is keen to add a former player to his Lazio ranks. He did something when he joined Chelsea from Napoli. He asked the Blues to sign Jorginho from Napoli the summer he arrived.
It looks like he is about to do something similar as well. According to Sky Sports Italia, Sarri wants to sign Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek this summer. He has communicated this to the club owner Claudio Lotito.
Why Sarri wants Loftus-Cheek?
The Englishman had his best season at Chelsea under Maurizio Sarri. In the 2018-19 season, Loftus-Cheek scored 10 goals and 5 assists in 40 appearances. The pair also won the Europa League together.
Not only this Sarri has a non comprising system of playing. The Italian’s team often set up in a familiar fashion and there is very little room for flexibility. At Stamford Bridge, Loftus Cheek played the role of a No.8.
If he joins Lazio, he will find it easier to settle down and play in the number 8 role. He has already played there under Sarri and he excelled as well. These are the reasons why Sarri wants the Englishman.
Loftus-Cheek’s current situation at Chelsea:
The 24-year-old did start the first game of the season but he was loaned out to Fulham for the remainder of the season. At that time Frank Lampard was in charge of the club. However, he was sacked mid-season.
Currently, it is unclear what plans Thomas Tuchel has for the midfielder. It is likely that he will assess him this summer before making a final decision over his future at the club.
Potential Chelsea decision:
It is unlikely that the Blues will consider selling him permanently. It must be remembered that it was an Achilles injury that derailed his progress at the club. Before that, he was a young player with a lot of potentials.
During the 2018/19 season, he also managed to push Ross Barkley out of the team, despite the latter being more experienced than him. It is likely that Chelsea will loan him out or sell him with a buy-back clause.
He still only 25 years old and he has time to recover his best form. The Blues would not want to repeat a Mo Salah or De Bryune type decision.
12th Man Opinion:
Chelsea fans would not want an academy talent like Loftus-Cheek to leave the club. However, they understand that perhaps a loan move to Lazio might reignite his career. While Lazio fans might be in for a treat if Sarri is able to get the best out of the Englishman.
