Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Jose Mourinho has revealed that he asked debutant Ruben Loftus-Cheek to give him a "nice bottle of red wine" as he sent the 18-year-old on in the 83rd minute of Chelsea's 3-1 Champions League win over Sporting on Wednesday night, to which the midfielder replied: "No problem".
Much of the pre-match talk was about the young midfielder, who had been with Chelsea since the age of eight, making his debut.
The manager revealed in his post-match briefing that he said to Loftus-Cheek before sending him on from the substitutes bench: "'I gave you this, you have to give me a nice bottle of red wine’.” Mourinho said Loftus-Cheek replied: “No problem.”
Of the teenager's brief debut Mourinho said: "He showed a very good personality, very positive, not afraid of playing, not afraid to have the ball. He wanted to participate.
"Obviously there were low levels of responsibility. We are qualified, the result is 3-1 and the game is over, but he showed immediately the quality he has. Everyone in the stadium had the feeling we have a kid with talent. So keep going, keep working hard, and hopefully people around him don't disturb the work we are doing with him."
Chelsea won the match thanks to goals from Cesc Fabregas, Andre Schurrle and John Obi Mikel. The Blues had already qualified as Group G leaders before the final game.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments