Maurizio Sarri keen to keep Mateo Kovacic at Chelsea

Chelsea head coach Maurizio Sarri has acknowledged that he is keen to keep Mateo Kovacic at Stamford Bridge.

The Real Madrid midfielder is currently spending a season on loan with the Blues, and the Croatia international has proven to be a valuable member of Sarri's squad.

Chelsea currently face the possibility of serving a two-window transfer ban, but Sarri has admitted that he wants to keep 24-year-old in West London.

At Chelsea's training ground, Sarri told reporters: "I'd like very much that Kovacic will stay with us. You know very well that, in that position, we have some problems because we have only Jorginho.

"In my opinion, Kovacic could become a very good central midfielder. Of course, he is not a defensive midfielder but, as you know, in that position I prefer a very technical player.

"For us, it's very important for us to have big quality in that position. Big quality not for the last pass, but big quality in terms of moving the ball."

Kovacic has made a total of 42 appearances in all competitions this season.