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Football London
Football London
Sport
Ryan O'Donovan

The moment that Chelsea fans booed to show how they really feel about Ruben Loftus-Cheek

Ruben Loftus-Cheek made another start in Chelsea's midfield and produced another strong performance for Maurizio Sarri but found himself subbed off with 20 minutes left in the tie.

It was greeted with a chorus of boos from the home fans who were clearly unhappy with Sarri's decision to take him off for Ross Barkley with the Italian once again displeasing the supporters despite another much-improved performance.

While the boos for the sub were perhaps a tad over the top, it just proves what Loftus-Cheek, a man who has come through the Chelsea academy, means to the supporters at Stamford Bridge.

While most of the season has been a straight swap between Mateo Kovacic and Barkley it is Loftus-Cheek who has become vital to Sarri's system and could well become the goalscoring midfielder Sarri craves.

Chelsea fans spotted what Pedro did for Callum Hudson-Odoi as he was subbed on against West Ham  

He was strong and powerful again this evening and fans' frustrations were felt when he was taken off, although he did seem to indicate to the bench that he was struggling with an injury.

Sarri had said before that he was unsure if he could last a full 90 minutes as he continues to recover from a back injury that has plagued his season and that could well have been the case again this evening.

The Italian had a conversation with Loftus-Cheek as he came off the pitch as he tried to explain his decision, but the fans weren't left upset by it for long when Barkley popped up with a lovely assist for Hazard's second goal.

(Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

It was a good attacking performance from Barkley and a stunning pass for the Belgian to score the final goal, but the way the fans reacted proves to everyone, Sarri especially, how vital Loftus-Cheek is to this Chelsea side.

He seems to be getting better and better every week and being one of their own increases the pressure on Sarri to use him in every game and to play him for 90 minutes.

But if they're hoping he starts again against Slavisa Prague on Thursday they may well be disappointed - it looks like it will be wholesale changes from the Italian for that Europa League tie.

That's not a problem though - if Chelsea are going to beat Liverpool on Sunday they will need Loftus-Cheek in the form he was in tonight.

Chelsea player ratings vs West Ham: Barkley makes impact, Hazard sublime, Higuain struggles  

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