Ruben Loftus-Cheek comments on Chelsea exit, Maurizio Sarri admiration

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 11 July 2023

Loftus-Cheek comments on Chelsea exit, Sarri admiration

Ruben Loftus-Cheek says that he left Chelsea for AC Milan having grown frustrated with his lack of regular game time at Stamford Bridge.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek has acknowledged that he felt that leaving Chelsea for AC Milan represented the right time for a new challenge having grown frustrated with his role at Stamford Bridge.

At the end of last month, it was confirmed that the academy graduate was departing his boyhood club to sign for Milan, joining former Chelsea defender Fikayo Tomori at San Siro.

In eight seasons in the first team, Loftus-Cheek made a total of 155 appearances in all competitions, contributing 13 goals and 18 assists during that time.

However, Loftus-Cheek made more than 20 outings in a single Premier League campaign on just three occasions, albeit including the last two in a range of roles.

Speaking to reporters at a press conference, the 27-year-old indicated that it was his spells out of the sides and being viewed as a versatile option that contributed to his desire to find a new club this summer.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek celebrates scoring for Chelsea against Crystal Palace in the FA Cup semi-finals on April 17, 2022. © Reuters

The England international said: "I'm really happy to be here. I want to give my contribution to the team. I spent many years at Chelsea, but in recent years I was not satisfied with my contribution.

"I was unable to excel and so I think this was the right time to change team and be able to contribute."

Loftus-Cheek was also quizzed on his time playing under a Italian manager in Maurizio Sarri having produced by far and away his best season at Chelsea under the current Lazio boss.

During the 2018-19 campaign, Loftus-Cheek contributed 10 goals and five assists in the Premier League and Europa League, a competition which Chelsea won with Loftus-Cheek missing the final due to a serious Achilles injury.

Chelsea's Maurizio Sarri on the touchline against Slavia Prague in the Europa League on April 11, 2019. © Reuters

Loftus-Cheek added: "Maybe that, in terms of numbers, was my best season. I played in my favourite position in that season.

"I would like to play in that position. In recent years I've had some injuries and I've played in more defensive positions.

"I've had several good coaches at Chelsea, perhaps the one who gave me the most was Sarri. I have great respect for him. I did well with him."

Loftus-Cheek has been handed Milan's famous number eight jersey, one which has been worn by the likes of former Chelsea stars Ray Wilkins and Marcel Desailly, as well as Gennaro Gattuso and Sandro Tonali more recently.