The talented teenager is set to make just a handful of appearances this season
Jose Mourinho has insisted that he does not intend to send Chelsea youngster Ruben Loftus-Cheek on loan this summer.
The Blues manager believes the player will benefit more from being in and around Chelsea‘s first team squad, than joining another club.
However, the Portuguese admits that Loftus-Cheek is some way off being in contention for a first team place.
Mourinho heavily criticised the 19 year old’s lack of work rate off the ball, in Chelsea’s 1-0 friendly win over Sydney FC last month.
Loftus-Cheek made his first team debut in the Champions League last season
His first start came last season against Liverpool, after Chelsea had already sealed the Premier League title.
Loftus-Cheek had been linked with a loan move to Chelsea’s partner club Vitesse Arnhem, but Mourinho says that he wants the holding midfielder to stay at Stamford Bridge.
“He is one I am not interested in letting go on loan, I want to keep him because he needs to improve a lot,” said the Portuguese.
“And I think the best way for him to improve is to be working with us every day, even if he doesn’t play much.
“In this moment he is far from being in conditions to play for us.”
Loftus-Cheek joined Chelsea’s academy at just eight, and has been an integral part of the club’s success in the FA Youth Cup, and was also a regular in the club’s under 21 Premier League title winning side in 2013/14.
This summer, he made two substitute appearances for the England under 21 team, that finished bottom of their Under 21 European Championship group.
