Mateo Kovacic signed for Chelsea on deadline day, and it was no surprise that he missed last week’s game against Huddersfield.
But after a week on the training pitch, it was hoped that he would make his first start this week for the Blues. Maurizio Sarri has sadly just shut that idea down in his weekly prematch press conference.
So Sarri confirms Kovacic still not ready for 90 minutes. The question is whether he will stick with Ross Barkley, or try out RLC from the start. No questions about Ruben's fitness now, this is a fair fight and we'll find out a lot about who MS favours from his decision.
— Will Faulks (@willfaulks) August 17, 2018
The new manager said that his Croatian loan signing is still not ready for 90 minutes, but that he could feature for half an hour off the bench.
That seems like a good bet, and while it’s frustrating to not see our true first team in action yet, it’s better that than rushing him into a side half baked.
Sarri:
– Fabregas out of Arsenal game
– Hazard to stay this season and not move to Spain
– Sarri wary of Arsenal threat
– Not worried about Morata but he 'needs to score' for confidence
– Kovacic 'not ready' for 90 minutes #cfchttps://t.co/MtPtAsKhtI— Oliver Harbord (@ojharbord) August 17, 2018
Now the only question is who replaces him: does Ross Barkley carry on, or does Ruben Loftus-Cheek take up the mantle? We will find out a lot about RLC’s future this season from the call his coach makes tomorrow.
