Sarri makes U-turn on $3m a year star

In spite of being unbeaten this season, various media report suggest Chelsea will be busy during the January transfer window as they chase cover for first team options and one of the key positions the team needs to be strengthened is the midfield area where the team will lack viable replacements if an injury occurs to any of the starters.

Since such recruitment has been highlighted as a priority in that light reports suggest that Maurizio Sarri has made a U-turn at keeping loanee Mateo Kovacic out of the grasps of Real Madrid his parent club while ensuring the player remains in London and with the Blues.

The Croats who is not the most feared players in front of goal when compared to Ross Barkley and Ruben Loftus-Cheek have shown in recent weeks but his calmness and assurance in fulfilling Mauzirio Sarri’s tactical demands makes him a sure bet to be a topic in negotiations when the Blues top hierarchy meets Real Madrid’s next summer.

• Liverpool team news, line up vs Red Star Belgrade

England internationals Ross Barkley and Loftus-Cheek failed to dominate in the midfield area against BATE Borisov, which the home team took advantage off during most part of the game until Kovacic’s was introduced and his entry ensured Chelsea returned to being the superior side. He has always been more tactically astute than his other two midfield rivals and provides more defensive cover.

With his recent performances and Sarri’s trusts in him in big games over Barkley and Loftus-Cheek with starts against Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal all are now set for the coach to insist a full contract is offered to the player before the expiration of his loan deal.