Loftus-Cheek must prove his worth says Mourinho

Ruben Loftus-Cheek must prove to Jose Mourinho that he is worthy of a spot not only the first-team squad but the first XI.

According to the Express, Mourinho has challenged the Chelsea youngster to stake a claim for first-team football at Stamford Bridge.

The England U21s international is the brightest young talent around Stamford Bridge and was offered the chance to fight for a spot in the first-team this season, rather than go out on loan.

Mourinho even promised to hand the youngster ‘a run of games’ in the team, but he failed to impress the Chelsea boss and has seen his minutes come few and far between.

Contrasting reports have now emerged that state the 19-year-old could head out on loan in January in the search for more game time.

‘The Special One’ says the midfielder can have no complaints about the opportunities handed to him at Chelsea.

Mourinho said:

Sometimes young players can argue that the chances were not too many for them. Ruben is the last one who can complain about that. He is a player who we have lots of hope for but, sooner or later, he – him, not me – has to give one step forward to be more stable in the first team.

Mourinho went on to explain just how hard it is to make the cut at Chelsea:

It’s easier to get chances in smaller clubs. At big clubs, not many players his age have the opportunities he has had to start matches in the Premier League, Champions League and the cups, to be on the bench for lots of matches consecutively, living and learning with top players. So he is having everything.