Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek's hopes of getting regular playing time in the Premier League are hindered by the club's wealth of talent in his position, says manager Maurizio Sarri.
Sarri was speaking after 22-year-old Loftus-Cheek advertised his talents in the best possible manner by scoring a hat-trick in the 3-1 win over Belarus outfit BATE Borisov in their Europa League group clash late Thursday.
Loftus-Cheek -- who is the first Chelsea player to score a hat-trick in European competition since club icon Didier Drogba 12 years ago -- has played just 33 minutes of Premier League football this term despite enjoying an impressive World Cup with England.
He started England's recent friendly with Switzerland in September, but since then he has found club-mate Ross Barkley gaining preference both at Chelsea and in the England set-up as national manager Gareth Southgate is keen to select players who are playing regularly.
Chelsea fans may have been chanting 'He is one of our own' during the Europa League match but that is unlikely to sway Sarri.
"We have four midfielders and three of them have the same characteristics," Sarri told BT Sport.
- 'I fear for the lad' -
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