Loftus-Cheek in line for first start as Sarri rotates Blues

MAURIZIO Sarri has hinted Ruben Loftus-Cheek will earn his first start of the season for Chelsea in tonight’s Europa League clash with Videoton.

But the Blues boss was unable to confirm whether teenage sensation Callum Hudson-Odoi would feature, with Eden Hazard in contention to start.

Hudson-Odoi, 17, started Chelsea’s Community Shield defeat against Manchester City at the start of the season but has not had any minutes since.

A number of Chelsea fans were hoping to see him in action in the opening Europa League game last month but Sarri did not select him in the squad.

Asked whether Hazard or Hudson-Odoi would feature for Chelsea against Vidi, Sarri said: “I don’t know. For sure not both, not both Hazard and Odoi. But I don’t know at the moment.

“I said a couple of weeks ago the period from the first international break to the second is my pre-season, so I’d like to see every player in this period.

“Maybe it’s time to see Loftus I think. I don’t know for Odoi at the moment.”

Loftus-Cheek enjoyed a productive loan spell at Crystal Palace last season and his performances earned him a place in England’s World Cup squad.

But it has been another frustrating spell for the midfielder at Stamford Bridge and he has only featured in three games so far this season.

Vidi boss Marko Nikolic, however, believes his Hungarian champions can make life “unpleasant” for Chelsea and says they are not in London as tourists.

Nikolic is under no illusions at the task facing his side in the Europa League Group L clash at Stamford Bridge against opponents he rates highly.

“Chelsea are, in my opinion, in the top 10 teams in the world,” he said.

“I’m very curious how the team react for this match. If we play with our best focus and qualities we can be a very unpleasant team.

“We didn’t come here just to enjoy and take photos. We will try to our best as always.

“This team has a big mentality and they will try to make a big, big, big surprise.”

The Serbian knows Chelsea head coach Maurizio Sarri is likely to rotate his options, with Eden Hazard likely to be rested.

“He is one of the best players in the world,” Nikolic said of Hazard.

“On one side I would like to see him on the pitch against my players. On the other side I think it will be maybe a little bit — just one small piece — easier for us if he doesn’t play.”

Vidi will field their best available team, due to not having options to rotate.

Nikolic added: “We don’t have this luxury at the moment, so we will go with the strongest team possible.

“Maybe we can try to guess their team. It’s no big difference because their playing style is the same.” Game on: Ruben Loftus-Cheek is ready for tough challenge