Ruben Loftus-Cheek is back!

When Ruben Loftus-Cheek returned to Chelsea last summer, I generally feared for his future under Thomas Tuchel as I could not see where he could fit into his plans. Now, four months later, playing a different role than he is used to, Loftus-Cheek is thriving and has really caught the eye!

We all had the opinion that RLC was a box-to-box midfielder who preferred to play with the ball at his feet in attacking areas, or at driving into the final third. He forced his way into England set up a few years ago playing that way before a serious Achilles injury forced him out of the game and his impressive form to a shuddering halt. 

Since his return to the game, it looked as though he was holding back, maybe fearful the same injury would flare up. At Fulham last season you would see him drive from midfield time and time again but would lack any real conviction. It was clear that the injury was on his mind, and it became a stumbling block. So much so, you would rather place bets at online casinos rather than bet on him last season. 

So, to this season and his performances for Thomas Tuchel. RLC has been asked to play as one of the deeper-lying midfielders and has really flourished. Dropping deep to give our defensive line an option to play out from the back, he has received the ball under pressure, and like Mateo Kovacic, has used his strength to hold off challenges and turn defence into attack in an instant. 

His ability with the ball at his feet is second to none. When he drives through the midfield in space, he is like a Rolls-Royce gliding across the grass with style and it is so good to see. He has really taken to the new role he has been asked to play and has been really, impressive. 

Of course, playing in the deeper midfield role, RLC will be expected to work hard without the ball. All of us can see that he isn’t the best when it comes to the defensive side of his game. Again, an argument for that is that he has never been asked to play that way so will take time to adapt, but it is an area he needs to work on. 

However, from what I have seen this season so far, RLC has taken to life at Chelsea working under Thomas Tuchel and seems to be really enjoying his football again. Most importantly of all, he is playing with freedom and seemingly without any concerns about his previous injury that had been holding him back. 

Ruben Loftus-Cheek is back!