Loftus-cheek seizes chance
Midfielder scores stunning Europa League hat-trick
The limited opportunities given to Ruben Loftus-cheek have been a contentious issue during the early stages of Chelsea’s campaign. The midfielder’s hat-trick last night, capping an outstanding display, means the volume of that debate will only increase.
The 22-year-old has been handed a reality check since returning from the World Cup, having forced his way into the national team on the back of a loan at Crystal Palace.
Sarri, the Chelsea head coach, made it clear he still has much to learn and has yet to include Loftuscheek in his Premier League starting line-up. Making his second Europa League start, however, the player could hardly have done more, scoring twice in the opening eight minutes and adding a third goal after the break.
A late consolation from BATE Bodisplay risov may have denied Chelsea a clean sheet but did nothing to spoil the midfielder’s night. These were the England international’s first Chelsea goals in more than two years, on only his 15th start for the club since his debut in 2014.
Sarri was impressed but Loftuscheek is still likely to return to the bench at Burnley on Sunday. “He played very well,” said Sarri. “At the beginning of the season, I told him he was a good player, now I think the same, but maybe I think also that he is more suitable to my football. He’s improving. I think also he need to improve the defensive phase. But not only him.”
The chant of, ‘he’s one of our own’, that followed Loftus-cheek’s third goal, confirmed that the midfielder, who joined the club aged eight, would be a popular choice to start on Sunday. “I know the fans love him because he was in the academy,” added Sarri.
Loftus Cheek was confident his would help towards a regular starting place. “The first thing is to keep training well and playing well, keeping fit and keeping sharp for when the time comes and when I get opportunities to start,” he said. “If I keep doing that, good things will come.”
He needed less than two minutes to make his presence felt when he met Davide Zappacosta’s low cross with a first-time finish from 12 yards to put Chelsea ahead. The second followed six minutes later when he met Willian’s corner with a closerange volley.
BATE, who included Aleksandr Hleb, the 37-year-old former Arsenal midfielder, offered few signs of being capable of stemming the flow. Chelsea failed to add to their tally before the break but afterwards Loftus-cheek showed he intended to carry on where he left off with a strong run past two defenders into the BATE penalty area.
That move came to nothing but two minutes later, the midfielder had completed his treble.
Pedro was again involved, driving into the box and when the ball broke loose, Loftus-cheek showed composure to place the ball inside the far post from 20 yards out.
A comfortable win was blemished only by Aleksei Rios’s response in the 78th minute when he was allowed to turn in a freekick at the far post.