Date published: Thursday 21st January 2021 3:36
Ruben Loftus-Cheek has named Maurizio Sarri as the most influential manager he has worked with.
The 24-year-old made his Chelsea debut under Jose Mourinho and has played under Guus Hiddink, Antonio Conte, Sarri and Frank Lampard at Stamford Bridge.
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Loftus-Cheek had his best season for Chelsea under Sarri, with 10 goals and five assists in 40 appearances.
The Italian led Chelsea to Europa League glory and to the League Cup final but was sacked after just one season.
But Loftus-Cheek says his former manager’s honesty and frankness played a key role in his development at Chelsea.
When asked to name the most influential manager he’s worked under, Loftus-Cheek told Fulham’s matchday programme: “Sarri for sure.
“I felt like he was truthful with me. At the start, I wasn’t playing. He told me why and said if I want to play, I have to do this and that gave me something to work towards and eventually I started to do what he asked and I played.
“That gave me confidence to know that if I keep doing that, I’ll keep playing. Then you start to get more understanding of the game.
“I played in an eight role, with one deep, so I had the licence to go forward and affect the game in that way.
“I felt that was a good season and in my head after that season I was like ‘we kick on next season’, but obviously got the bad injury which halted my progression, but now it’s time to build up again.”