Chelsea hero Glenn Hoddle has said that he wants to see more from Ruben Loftus-Cheek. The youngster scored the opening goal for his side during their Champions League semi-final second leg clash against Eintracht Frankfurt at Stamford Bridge on Thursday. The game ended 1-1 before the Blues went on to win 4-3 on penalties. They will now play against Arsenal in the final.
Loftus-Cheek is one of the most highly-rated players in English football. He had a breakout season with Crystal Palace last term and also succeeded during the 2018 World Cup with England. However, he has not been given regular game time with the West London giants this season and can consider himself unlucky.
Loftus-Cheek should be getting his opportunities to shine next season in lieu of the Blues two-window transfer ban. The transfer ban means that they will not be able to sign new players and they will thus be forced to utilize young talent as well as re-integrate players out on loan into the first-team.
Loftus-Cheek is a player who can develop into a world-class talent under the correct guidance. The Blues should certainly make him a key figure in their first-team plans for next season. He will certainly be able to contribute a lot.
“It’s now or never for him,” said the former England manager as reported by the Daily Mail. “Next season he needs to be playing.
“He needs to be playing so he feels the coach wants him in the team, he feels that he’s part of the spine of the team. Then we’ll see whether he can be a great player or not. I still don’t know.
“He’s got immense talent, running at people, playing a No 8. He can defend at times, he’s got that little bit of pace, a bit of a pass on him, he’s got a little bit of everything going for him. He can score goals and create, but it’s still an effort for him.
“He needs a full season to learn himself through all the little things you have to do as a young player. He’s not that young by the way, we’re talking as if he’s a youngster, he’s not.”
