Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek has claimed that his club are reaping the benefits after sending him on loan to Crystal Palace last season.
The 22-year-old spent last season with the Eagles and impressed as he helped Roy Hodgson’s side to avoid relegation from the top flight. He managed to win a place in the England squad that played in the World Cup.
As a result of Loftus-Cheek’s impressive displays for England and Palace last term, he was rewarded with a place in the Chelsea squad for this season. He has, however, been unable to establish himself as a first-team regular due to the presence of the likes of Ross Barkley, Pedro, Cesc Fabregas and N’Golo Kante but has impressed whenever called upon.
Loftus-Cheek has so far played 14 games in all competitions this season and managed an impressive six goals. He has also proven that he is a versatile player. He was deployed in a more advanced role by Blues manager Maurizio Sarri during the Blues’ 1-0 Carabao Cup victory over Bournemouth on Wednesday night and thrived.
Loftus-Cheek is clearly one of the best up and coming talents in England. He should get more opportunities going forward as it is looking likely that either one of Fabregas or Pedro will leave Stamford Bridge during the near future.
Loftus-Cheek believes that his strong performances this season are being influenced by his loan spell with the Eagles last term.
“After a season at Palace I felt I really matured, I got to see what the Premier League was like playing week in, week out,” Loftus-Cheek said, as quoted by The Belfast Telegraph. “At Palace, we had to fight a lot. I really think I learned the way to fight and grind out games.
“After the World Cup I was ready to come back and fight for a place at Chelsea. The start of the season was difficult but I’m getting chances now and I’m just looking to do the best I can.”
