Ruben Loftus-Cheek reveals match ball plans after stunning Chelsea hat-trick
RUBEN LOFTUS-CHEEK may look back on tonight as the game he finally convinced Maurizio Sarri he’s worthy of a regular starting spot - and he's keeping the match ball to show for it.
Chelsea news: Ruben Loftus-Cheek put in a man of the match display against BATE Borisov (Image: GETTY)
The Chelsea starlet was handed a rare start in the Europa League clash against BATE Borisov at Stamford Bridge on Thursday and wasted no time in proving a point to Sarri in their 3-1 win.
The 22-year-old got off to a great start, scoring within two minutes after a fine cross from Davide Zappacosta.
Six minutes later the former Crystal Palace loanee had his second, turning home a Willian corner from close range.
And soon after half time he completed his hat-trick with a delightful curling effort from 20 yards to cement Chelsea's top spot in Group L.
It feels nice. Any player will tell you it's nice to score a hat-trick and it feels good, I'll get the ball signed and put in a glass box. Hopefully there are many more to come.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek
The England international has made just one appearance in the Premier League so far this season and that was from the bench.
And the talented midfielder certainly aims on savouring the occasion with his plans for the match ball.
"It feels really good, the target is to win the group,” said Loftus-Cheek.
"It's up there, it's my first hat-trick in a while, even since playing for the youth team.
Chelsea news: Ruben Loftus-Cheek netted a hat-trick against the Belarusian side (Image: GETTY)
“It feels nice. Any player will tell you it's nice to score a hat-trick and it feels good, I'll get the ball signed and put in a glass box. Hopefully there are many more to come.
"The first thing is to train well and as hard as I can. Keep the good habits, eat well and sleep well and if I keep doing that the chances will come."
Loftus-Cheek’s future has been a major talking point of late following his lack of game time.
The 22-year-old is under contract with the Blues until 2021 but reports suggest he may consider leaving on loan, or permanently, in January if that doesn't change.
Loftus-Cheek has only made 61 senior club appearances in his five-year professional career.
Sarri admitted he has a dilemma in midfield after Loftus-Cheek became the first Chelsea player since Didier Drogba to score a hat-trick in Europe.
He said: "At the moment he is not like Drogba. I hope in the future...
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Chelsea news: Ruben Loftus-Cheek was delighted to walk away with the match ball (Image: GETTY)
"At the beginning of the season he was a very good player, now he is a good player, more suitable to my way of football I think.
"We have a tactical problem with the midfielders because for two positions we have four midfielders and three of them have the same characteristics.
"They are offensive midfielders, only one has other characteristics - (N'Golo) Kante is a defensive midfielder. So it is very difficult to put in the starting XI two midfielders with the same characteristics."
But former Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves, who was working as a pundit for BT Sport, believes he’s sent a strong message to Sarri with his display this evening.
Chelsea news: Maurizio Sarri is working wonders with the Blues in his first season (Image: GETTY)
”There's been a lot of talk about Ruben Loftus-Cheek recently and tonight he was an unstoppable force - I think this performance can turn his Chelsea career around,” he said.
"Loftus-Cheek has everything - but tonight he has specialised - he's a goalscoring midfielder now. He can give that to his manager now.
"This is the most important moment of his career, now he has shown everyone what he's capable of.
“Now, he needs to show he can do it again, he needs to show that he can become a feature. And if he can't do it at Chelsea, he needs to go on a two-year loan."
Chelsea will now turn their attentions to the Premier League with the Blues travelling to Burnley on Sunday.
Sarri’s side will be keen to get back to winning ways in the league having dropped points against Manchester United last time out.