Ruben Loftus Cheek (Thread)

Lewisham Ballack.

Ruben Loftus Cheek is one of many academy graduates from Chelsea’s successful academy. The start to his career has been hampered by injuries but in this thread i will be explaining why he can still become one of the best midfielders in the league and for England.

I will be discussing:
- How his career started and has progressed so far.
- Strengths and Weaknesses to his game.
- How he could fit Lampard’s teams next season.
- Comparison to similar midfielders.

Ruben Loftus Cheek made his first senior appearance for Chelsea after a very successful youth career in 2014 UCL under Jose Mourinho against Sporting, and despite impressing in cameos failed to establish himself as a starter, under both Mourinho and Conte at Chelsea.

In the 2017/18 season he joined Crystal Palace on loan in January in need of game time, deployed mainly as a LM or RM he made 24 appearances scoring 2 goals and contributing 5 assists in the league along with 3.0 (76%) dribbles, 24.8 (83%) passes and fouled 2.6 times per 90.

These are impressive offensive numbers considering Roy Hodgson’s teams are defensively orientated. This shows he saw RLC as a player who could transition defence to attack because of his ball carrying qualities. His performances earned him a call up to England’s World Cup Squad.

After the World Cup, RLC returned to Chelsea under a new manager Maurizio Sarri hoping to break into the first team. Sarri recognised his qualities and became a regular in the team making 40 appearances with 10 goals and 5 assists in all comps. A massive step up.

RLC was deployed as an 8 to the left of Jorginho, his role to pick the ball deep and drive forward to attract fouls and start attacking moves. He also improved his positional awareness which Sarri noticed, praising him as “complete” and noticing that he had improved tactically.

Also, in the EL he made 11 appearances scoring 4 and assisting 3. He impressed in both legs against Frankfurt, in the first leg he provided a vital assist for an away goal, whilst also providing 3 key passes. In the second leg he scored the opener with a composed finish.

Towards the end of the season, RLC was injured in a friendly frustratingly, with an achilles injury similar to Callum Hudson Odoi’s which has had him recovering for nearly a full season. I have no doubt he’ll be back stronger.

How he could fit into Lampards team:

There’s no doubt Chelsea have a lot of talent in their squad in terms of midfielders. Chelsea have three of the best midfielders in the league in Kovacic, Jorginho and Kante, so it would be difficult to see him breaking through.

I believe RLC can play both centrally and out wide effectively, as he has proven. Lampard has used a number of different formations including 433 a system RLC is familiar with, 343 RLC could fill in as an inside winger or box to box mid. In my opinion he’s best suited as an 8.

*stats from 18/19 premier league*

I’m now going to be comparing RLC to Paul Pogba in the 18/19 season. Per 90 mins RLC completed 3.85 take-ons compared to Pogba’s 1.76, a massive difference but granted RLC’s game is based on dribbling, and driving the ball up the pitch.

RLC also beat Pogba in tackles per 90, (1.65 in comparison to 1.41) as well as interceptions, RLC had 1.01, Pogba had 0.54 per 90. For recoveries RLC also came out on top with 6.8 per 90, Pogba with 6.6. RLC also has 9.52 duels won per 90 in comparison to 6.97 from Pogba.

RLC also came out on top with goals 0.55 per 90 compared to Pogba’s 0.39. Pogba on top with assists though, 0.27 compared to RLC’s 0.18.

I’m not saying RLC is better than Pogba but these are very impressive numbers, also showing that he is defensively and offensively capable.

These stats show that RLC if coached well can be moulded into the perfect number 8. He has it all. Physical, Dynamic, Creative and defensively capable. His versatility shouldn’t go unnoticed either as he could work in a double pivot if he improved defensively, aswell as a 10.

To conclude - RLC has massive potential and ability. At 24 he still has room to improve further IF he can avoid injuries that have halted his career so far, he will no doubt become one of the best midfielders in the Premier League and for England.

End of thread, likes and rts appreciated