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Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has indicated that Ruben Loftus-Cheek was only rested for the recent Premier League game versus Southampton. The England international made his maiden start for the Blues during the midweek Europa League triumph over MOL Vidi but this was however not deemed sufficient enough for him to feature against the Saints.

Speaking after the 3-0 away win over Southampton, Sarri indicated that the midfielder may not be prepared yet to secure a regular role and he would prefer to see more of him in training, he said: “No, not at the moment. After 70 minutes in the last match, for the first time this season, I preferred for him to have training.”

France manager Didier Deschamps has admitted that Olivier Giroud needs to find a goal in order to regain his confidence. The Chelsea striker previously netted during the friendly win over the Republic of Ireland in May and he has since gone 10 matches for the national team without finding the scoresheet.

As such, there have been plenty of questions raised regarding Giroud’s form but Deschamps has defended his compatriot by citing that the marksman is presently the country’s fourth highest goalscorer (31) alongside Zinedine Zidane. In an interview covered by Goal.com, he said: "It happens to attackers that they have a longer or shorter period where they are not always efficient.

Chelsea attacker Eden Hazard has refused to be critical of the referee following the Blues’ hard-fought 2-1 win over Newcastle United at St James Park. The Belgium international was regularly fouled by the Magpies during the course of the Premier League outing but the referee kept the cards in his pockets until the backend of the game.

As such, standing captain Cesar Azpilicueta had questioned the referee’s decisions but Hazard did not have similar complaints after the Blues continued their perfect start to the season, he said: “The Premier League is always like this – every weekend is the same. But I’m not complaining, I try to do my job and when you have the ball, you get kicked, so no complaints. You just try to play better. I felt tired after the game but, at the end, I was happy with the result and the goal.”

Chelsea were a club in transition over the summer and it seemed at one stage they were in danger of breaking up, with their star players looking to make a quick exit from Stamford Bridge. No one was quite sure what would be happening with Antonio Conte, either, with rumours of an exit hovering over the club for the duration of the World Cup.

Proceedings did move fast, however, once the Italian left the Blues on July 13th and it was only 24 hours later that Sarri was named the new head coach. There was the odd hiccup to come still, with a wanatway Courtois making it abundantly clear he fancied a move to Real Madrid, which would come about on August 9th.

Whether Chelsea are willing to let Belgium number one Thibaut Courtois depart Stamford Bridge for Real Madrid or risk losing him on a free come next summer when his contract expires, he will leave some big gloves to fill.

The goalie, who missed training with days to go before the Premier League transfer window shuts, has already won league titles in his homeland, on loan in Spain with Real's city rivals Atletico Madrid and England during what has been a glittering career to date.