We’ve just done our predicted XI for tonight’s game against Manchester United, and it won’t surprise you to read that Ruben Loftus-Cheek isn’t in it.
The midfielder hasn’t started a game since going off injured in the first half against Nottingham Forest back in early January.
It’s not clear if he hasn’t been fit these last few weeks, or whether Sarri just isn’t willing to risk a player who may or may not be able to finish the 90 minutes ok.
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For that reason, as well as a general lack of match fitness, we don’t think we’ll see him from the start tonight. As much as he’s impressed when he’s been picked, he just hasn’t played consistently enough for Sarri to trust him.
We expect to see a very safe Kante-Jorginho-Kovacic midfield to start tonight, and hopefully RLC will be thrown in to change the game in the second half. One of those gliding runs forward from the centre circle against a tiring United midfield could be just what we need to turn the game around
