Ruben Loftus-Cheek

[DYC. 7,542]

Who cares about them , that crop weren't dominating all before them.

But how good is RLC? If he was sent to Spurs, would he play? Southampton, Crystal Palace, WBA? I'd be scared for him if he went out on loan to those teams. He could succeed, definitely, but pro football tends to very daunting for the youngsters.

[lucio 5,418]

But how good is RLC? If he was sent to Spurs, would he play? Southampton, Crystal Palace, WBA? I'd be scared for him if he went out on loan to those teams. He could succeed, definitely, but pro football tends to very daunting for the youngsters.

well they'd have 0 interest in developing our youngsters. if rlc was at spurs' academy, he'd probably be playing. if we signed dele alli, he'd be loaned off somewhere stupid , or making the bench every 7 games here.

[DYC. 7,542]

well they'd have 0 interest in developing our youngsters. if rlc was at spurs' academy, he'd probably be playing. if we signed dele alli, he'd be loaned off somewhere stupid , or making the bench every 7 games here.

Why would you not play a player who would improve your team?

I'm not talking about Chelsea and youth in general. That's a different discussion.

[lucio 5,418]

Why would you not play a player who would improve your team?

I'm not talking about Chelsea and youth in general. That's a different discussion.

because if they do well, they'll be whisked away. i bet if christensen was on a 6 month of 1 year loan, he wouldn't have been afforded the same game time.

unless the player is indisputably amazing, courtois, lukaku,.... don't expect them to play much. even zouma's st etienne status went backwards following our purchase, was shifted out to right back.

alot of clubs see chelsea loanees as a chance to bring in cheap squad depth, and players for cup games.

[DYC. 7,542]

because if they do well, they'll be whisked away. i bet if christensen was on a 6 month of 1 year loan, he wouldn't have been afforded the same game time.

unless the player is indisputably amazing, courtois, lukaku,.... don't expect them to play much. even zouma's st etienne status went backwards following our purchase, was shifted out to right back.

alot of clubs see chelsea loanees as a chance to bring in cheap squad depth, and players for cup games.

That doesn't make sense though. A one year loan is a one year lone. You know he's gone after a year even before you pick up the phone to make the call or whatever.

Every club send players out on loan. Those who do well play, those who don't do well don't pay. Cheap squad depth definitely but if that player helps you club finish higher on the table, you play him.

My problem with loans is when they're sent to a different club every year or to a club with 3 or 4 'home' (experienced) options in the player's position.

[LDN Blue 7,903]

I've kept quiet on RLC but I can't do it anymore. He gets too much love for the very, very little he's shown in his career. Is he talented? Sure. But a big talent? No evidence to support that. I do agree with the argument that he at least deserves a chance but some are making it start to sound like Verratti is on the bench.

I still think he needs to go. Send him to a club for two years, let him prove himself and assess the situation after.

@Peace., I hope you see this ^

A few months or maybe even last year, we spoke about the same thing. For all the praise, hype and exposure RLC had received from JM and youth-fans alike, what do we actually know about this kid. Is he ready to compete at the top level despite not having gone out on loan somewhere? Is this cotton wool approach really necessary to bring him straight out of the academy before he's forced his way into the team?

Hell we even sent Terry out on loan at least once before he broke into the Chelsea team. Loftus-Cheek, like any other youth player, still has to prove himself and I think he'd do well to do it on loan where the pressure wouldn't be as great on him.

[Henrique 9,133]

I've kept quiet on RLC but I can't do it anymore. He gets too much love for the very, very little he's shown in his career. Is he talented? Sure. But a big talent? No evidence to support that. I do agree with the argument that he at least deserves a chance but some are making it start to sound like Verratti is on the bench.

I still think he needs to go. Send him to a club for two years, let him prove himself and assess the situation after.

Its something pretty common with teams are not doing well. Usually the fans will ask for players who are not playing, since they want something new.

I agree with you. There is nothing to suggest he is more talented than the players that are starting. Remember Romeu was called new Makelele after a couple of games, and even Oscar looked a future world beater in his first Chelsea's games.

He deserve more chances, but starting against United was not a good thing to do, and even next game against Crystal Palace would not be the right moment to introduce him, at least not starting.

[BlueLyon 9,359]

No player was ever born great footballer. Give him a chance or sell him than we will talk if he is good or nah.

[OhForAGreavsie 5,890]

No player was ever born great footballer. Give him a chance or sell him than we will talk if he is good or nah.

So if you work hard on the training ground you'll become as good Lionel Messi? Let me take you out of it since and I don't know anything about you and maybe you would turn out to be brilliant. I can assure you however that even if I spent 24 hours a day honing my skills, I wouldn't even reach your level, never mind Leo's.

I'm convinced that great footballer's are indeed born. Born with the tools that is. Then it's a matter of developing them so they learn how to use those tools and then testing them to see if they have the x-factor which allows them to apply those skills effectively under the challenge of high level competition. They don't get in to the development programme unless someone believes that they were born with enough of the right tools, and they won't graduate to the testing stage unless they persuade the decision maker that they have learned their lessons well enough.

It's easy for someone like me, who watches a fair bit of development football, to cross my fingers and hope but decision makers never think like that. The youngster has to give the boss something to believe in before he'll get the chance to prove himself. I, and others, can be as unhappy as we like about it but the fact is that younger members of our squad, baring Kurt, have either not done that yet or else have not made enough of the chances they've had.

[Blue Colored Sky 1,807]

I've kept quiet on RLC but I can't do it anymore. He gets too much love for the very, very little he's shown in his career. Is he talented? Sure. But a big talent? No evidence to support that. I do agree with the argument that he at least deserves a chance but some are making it start to sound like Verratti is on the bench.

I still think he needs to go. Send him to a club for two years, let him prove himself and assess the situation after.

And owning Yaya in post season US Tour doesn't count now ?

But how good is RLC? If he was sent to Spurs, would he play? Southampton, Crystal Palace, WBA? I'd be scared for him if he went out on loan to those teams. He could succeed, definitely, but pro football tends to very daunting for the youngsters.

Would Dele Alli improve Chelsea now ? I think so. Did anybody think he could improve Chelsea 4 months ago ? Definetely, defintely no.

[Blue Colored Sky 1,807]

The fact is Ruben was pulled out of the hat. There was no mention of him for 1,5 years in Jose second string, he didn't even travel in European Tour when 16 year old Jay Dasilva was present. Nor in the previous summer when someone like Wallace was there.

He wasn't even mentioned as the one who could be part of Jose's failure if he wouldn't make it.

Then Academy Day happened. We were strolling in the league and Jose thought it's good time to give a shout for youth integration. RLC was picked as he is the bigger player with most physically developed body while being quite good in youths. Then everybody thought he is the most talented, most impressive one in the youth setup as he was handpicked and put in the lamelight by Jose. But the fact is he is the most ready from physical point of view and that's the whole story. That's why he is here and not on loan.

Anyway, I think he's quite amazing talent as you can see in his moves he has something extraordinary about him. Definetely material to be some player. However a lot of work ahead of him and there's no excuse why he is ahead of at least a couple of other young players.

[DYC. 7,542]

And owning Yaya in post season US Tour doesn't count now ?

Would Dele Alli improve Chelsea now ? I think so. Did anybody think he could improve Chelsea 4 months ago ? Definetely, defintely no.

1. No. One game and a non-competitive game no one cares about as well.

2. I don't like it when people compare players like that. We don't know how well Alli did for MK Dons, we don't know how much Alli impresses in training. Alli earned his spot in the team, it wasn't given to him. There are plenty of young players on the Spurs' bench and in the stands every week.

Zouma earned his game time. Same goes for Bellerin, Kane last season etc.

[Blue Colored Sky 1,807]

1. No. One game and a non-competitive game no one cares about as well.

2. I don't like it when people compare players like that. We don't know how well Alli did for MK Dons, we don't know how much Alli impresses in training. Alli earned his spot in the team, it wasn't given to him. There are plenty of young players on the Spurs' bench and in the stands every week.

Zouma earned his game time. Same goes for Bellerin, Kane last season etc.

I should put it differently. My question should sound like that :

Would Dele Alli improve Chelsea now ? I think so. Does anybody think he could improve Chelsea 4 months ago ? Definetely, defintely no.

In that sense I want to say that the player moved a lot in the right direction and developed to be good enough for Chelsea now. But maybe he was not there at the start of the season ?

I think that Ramires is maybe better than RLC now but what about 6 months from now ? Why we choose short term serviceability over long-term brilliance ?

I say this again, there's a path to integrate 1 young player every season but when I see that we need like 5-6 new players for the first XI I don't bother now about youth integration. RLC should go on loan, definitely. He'll be 20 next month.

[LondonsFinest 692]

I am only writing this once, so whoever quotes me, I'm not replying, lads. I do not know if you have talked to coaches, played the game at a full length pitch or plain old sat at home, watching it on the TV amd believing you are a specialist. By no means do I want this to be an insult, but from my experience coming through certain youth ranks and knowing particular coaches, when you see a talent, you try to give him as much time as you can, so he gets a feel of the game, the tempo, the physicality, the rough tackles and all the swearing in the world. You certainly do not get 35 seconds versus Man. Utd, when Matic, Oscar and Mikel(he was okay, but still) are below par and bossed versus a poor United side.

Now, as much as Ruben hasn't shown the greatedt quality, he's shown:

1. Calm on the ball and a good passer

2. Strength and physicality

3. Able to make a tackle when needed

Granted all of the above what is the point of watching Fraudscar and Ramires not being able to make a 5 yard pass? I realise RLC doesn't have the work rate. He hasn't shown enough desire, but ffs, how would I, personally, show desire if I am constantly being neglected for being a 19 year old, when I could do no worse than those two? Ruben has what it takes to take a step further and become a regular for us. And yet people still convince themselves he isn't quite as good or hasn't shown it. Even if that be the case, we are fucking 14th, we aren't getting top 4. Bloody push him in that side and play experienced players in CL and FA, if so be it. But he is there, a great option to have, young and hungry. Bentaleb, Alli, Wilshere, Cleverley(even), Pogba (despite at Juve) were all slowly introduced the same way WE could introduce him and make him a proper player.

BUT, no, I guess he's lacking quality and really deserves to sit and rot whilist I and many others carve my retinas wide open while watching Matic always playing on his left peg like a one-legged dog, Oscar and Ramires's shower of shite in terms of passing and overall ability and Mikel.

Cheers.Sorry if I have offended someone, I have no intention of doing so. Also grammar wise, I've maybe made a couple of mistakes, but I'm writing through phone.

[bethos1 802]

I am only writing this once, so whoever quotes me, I'm not replying, lads. I do not know if you have talked to coaches, played the game at a full length pitch or plain old sat at home, watching it on the TV amd believing you are a specialist. By no means do I want this to be an insult, but from my experience coming through certain youth ranks and knowing particular coaches, when you see a talent, you try to give him as much time as you can, so he gets a feel of the game, the tempo, the physicality, the rough tackles and all the swearing in the world. You certainly do not get 35 seconds versus Man. Utd, when Matic, Oscar and Mikel(he was okay, but still) are below par and bossed versus a poor United side.

Now, as much as Ruben hasn't shown the greatedt quality, he's shown:

1. Calm on the ball and a good passer

2. Strength and physicality

3. Able to make a tackle when needed

Granted all of the above what is the point of watching Fraudscar and Ramires not being able to make a 5 yard pass? I realise RLC doesn't have the work rate. He hasn't shown enough desire, but ffs, how would I, personally, show desire if I am constantly being neglected for being a 19 year old, when I could do no worse than those two? Ruben has what it takes to take a step further and become a regular for us. And yet people still convince themselves he isn't quite as good or hasn't shown it. Even if that be the case, we are fucking 14th, we aren't getting top 4. Bloody push him in that side and play experienced players in CL and FA, if so be it. But he is there, a great option to have, young and hungry. Bentaleb, Alli, Wilshere, Cleverley(even), Pogba (despite at Juve) were all slowly introduced the same way WE could introduce him and make him a proper player.

BUT, no, I guess he's lacking quality and really deserves to sit and rot whilist I and many others carve my retinas wide open while watching Matic always playing on his left peg like a one-legged dog, Oscar and Ramires's shower of shite in terms of passing and overall ability and Mikel.

Cheers.Sorry if I have offended someone, I have no intention of doing so. Also grammar wise, I've maybe made a couple of mistakes, but I'm writing through phone.

Well said, great post.

[BlueLyon 9,359]

So if you work hard on the training ground you'll become as good Lionel Messi? Let me take you out of it since and I don't know anything about you and maybe you would turn out to be brilliant. I can assure you however that even if I spent 24 hours a day honing my skills, I wouldn't even reach your level, never mind Leo's.

I'm convinced that great footballer's are indeed born. Born with the tools that is. Then it's a matter of developing them so they learn how to use those tools and then testing them to see if they have the x-factor which allows them to apply those skills effectively under the challenge of high level competition. They don't get in to the development programme unless someone believes that they were born with enough of the right tools, and they won't graduate to the testing stage unless they persuade the decision maker that they have learned their lessons well enough.

It's easy for someone like me, who watches a fair bit of development football, to cross my fingers and hope but decision makers never think like that. The youngster has to give the boss something to believe in before he'll get the chance to prove himself. I, and others, can be as unhappy as we like about it but the fact is that younger members of our squad, baring Kurt, have either not done that yet or else have not made enough of the chances they've had.

Sure players like Messi have gift and waste of talent that few have. That separates them from others.

But even Messi had to train and play games. He didnt just arrived to pitch and become star that he is now. He was huge talent and become even bigger player.

If RLC is only "good" talent, he can still become great player with proper development that comes from playing games.

Pogba was by far not as promising at united as he eventualy become at juve. He was a good talent but that was it.

Rlc imo is a bit overrated, but he still has a chance to become realy good player because he is both physicaly and techicaly good. But I doubt he will be that at chelsea because all he does is sit on bench.

Only thing that stops him from achieving his potential is his work rate and attitude. He will need to work on that.

[OhForAGreavsie 5,890]

But even Messi had to train and play games. He didnt just arrived to pitch and become star that he is now. He was huge talent and become even bigger player.

As I said, he was born with the talent, sharpened his skills as he progressed through the Barcelona development squads, convinced the coaches he was ready to be tried at top level and then, crucially, did enough to earn more minutes and eventually become first choice.

There were other kids in the same development squads as Messi who we've never heard of and who are now doing ordinary jobs. You have to have the talent and you have to show that you've learned to apply it. Fall in either area and you fall by the wayside.

If RLC is only "good" talent, he can still become great player with proper development that comes from playing games.

Then why are there any good players? Why don't all just develop more and become great? In my opinion, the belief that sows ears can become silk purses is the biggest myth in football. A player's potential is directly linked to his talent and the greater the talent, the higher he might fly.

Perhaps I'm misreading what you say but you seem to be suggesting that the progression is automatic. Just give 'em minutes and they'll become good enough. You can't be suggesting that however because I know you know it ain't true. Young players on the cusp of a breakthrough do need a few chances to settle in and to begin to show what they can do but, in the end, they are not good enough because they play, they play because they're good enough.

Pogba was by far not as promising at united as he eventualy become at juve. He was a good talent but that was it.

Pogba was very promising at United. He was being widely talked about as a very talented kid. Fergusson didn't doubt his talent; he doubted the young man's application. As I said, kids get into development programmes because they show they have the tools but there is more to do to progress into the first team. A lot of United fans were furious when Pogba was allowed to leave but SAF made his call and he'd earned the right to do it.

Rlc imo is a bit overrated, but he still has a chance to become realy good player because he is both physicaly and techicaly good. But I doubt he will be that at chelsea because all he does is sit on bench.

Only thing that stops him from achieving his potential is his work rate and attitude. He will need to work on that.

I can't speak about RLC's attitude although Jose did hint that there were issues there. On the other hand, I've been saying for nearly three years that Ruben needed to be more active, especially when we're in possession so I agree with your assessment about his work rate.

[MrExcalibur100 7,124]

I know now isn't the time for this, but Loftus Cheek can/should be our Delle Alli. I've watched both these guys play together for the England U-19's and Ruben is in NO WAY inferior to Alli. In fact, he regularly outperformed Alli in the games I saw.

Was incredibly mismanaged by Mourinho this season, was Ruben.