Ruben Loftus-Cheek

[Pizy 18,863]

That has nothing to do with the quality of the backup because it happened for every single position. Jose WANTED to play the best team in every single game even when there were options he's showed he can trust like Zouma, Luis, Ramires and even Cech. According to Jose himself, defensive midfield "is the only position where we have duplicates" because he sees Matic and Mikel as very similar. You won't see rotation unless Jose decides so.

Like we're linked to Pogba?

Attacking midfielder is whole different story. He may play centrally but the central attacking midfielder in our system cannot play the deeper role. We saw that with Cesc this season. The roles and duties are just too dissimilar. We definitely need an attacking midfielder but I think we will much more likely go for someone who plays on the right (as well as a back up for Eden) because both Oscar and Willian can play centrally.

Oh, and Zouma can fulfill a job as defensive midfielder in certain scenarios but he is not one. He is a CB. He does not have the technical ability nor the positional awareness to play there for prolonged periods if needed.

I personally want us to sign Koke. Pogba seems like a pipe dream at this point.

Koke can play in a midfield 3 along with Cesc and Matic.

[DYC. 7,542]

That has nothing to do with the quality of the backup because it happened for every single position. Jose WANTED to play the best team in every single game even when there were options he's showed he can trust like Zouma, Luis, Ramires and even Cech. According to Jose himself, defensive midfield "is the only position where we have duplicates" because he sees Matic and Mikel as very similar. You won't see rotation unless Jose decides so.

Take out Cesc and the level of technique and comfort on the ball of centre midfield becomes midtable level. Even Cesc becomes very erratic in his distribution when his form drops. I find that worrying and I have a very hard time believing Chelsea can compete in the three major competitions with a similar approach. That's just my opinion of course. But if things don't turn out well next season, the club and the manager have no one to blame.

[CurlyHairLikeLuiz 1,625]

Please play 90 w/o Mikel on Monday...

[Rom2013 446]

Yes he was nothing impressive. Get over it. One of the worst performances of any number 8 in the last 2 years, even Matic playing in the number 6 many times offers a ton more in attack than he did.

He has a lot of time to improve, it's just one game and he will get more oportunities, but today this was not good.

[xPetrCechx 13,569]

better than mikel.

[nadavTKL 1,787]

I want to see him in the role of Oscar/Cesc today/some would call it 10#. Dont think he's going to grow to be an 8, a playmaker, or a DM.

[Sir Mikel OBE 4,920]

better than mikel.

Completely different player.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Solid game. He was always going to play it safe on his first start. Thought he did very well in terms of pressing and interceptions at the start of the second half.

Take out Cesc and the level of technique and comfort on the ball of centre midfield becomes midtable level. Even Cesc becomes very erratic in his distribution when his form drops. I find that worrying and I have a very hard time believing Chelsea can compete in the three major competitions with a similar approach. That's just my opinion of course. But if things don't turn out well next season, the club and the manager have no one to blame.

I honestly think you're putting too much weight on the performance of one player. We've managed plenty of brilliant plays this season that did not involve Cesc.

[Eidur the Spider 4,515]

Played well today, made some great interceptions and looked cool and composed on the ball. Hope he gets a full 90 in the game against Sunderland. Well played RLC!!

[Thendo 1,088]

Solid performance, didn't look to nerveuos or out of place. Hopefully he'll start the last two games aswell.

[Waterfall 893]

Jose just confirmed this was the last game playing key players. He will play kids like Ake and Brown against West Brom who are already safe. I imagine RLC will play 90 minutes next week

[supporter 3,088]

Step by step. RLC has been at an appropriate level but he looked a little nervously because he is his first day. But he has made an acceptable game but in a position that (IMO) is not the one where he is most comfortable. I would like to see With Matic the two upcoming matches.

Zouma at first I was also a bit nervous and is now a different player and fully consolidated. RLC only need minutes to be gaining experience.

Today was not his best day, but I continue betting very hard for him. Just today the match has been developed without allowing him stand out and demonstrate their quality. But in the next game, without such exigency and in another position, RLC will play better and go slowly consolidating. Step by step.

Regards.

[Chelsea Legend 11 4,062]

meh... Little to no influence. Has A LOT to learn

[The Skipper 20,609]

Yes he was nothing impressive. Get over it. One of the worst performances of any number 8 in the last 2 years, even Matic playing in the number 6 many times offers a ton more in attack than he did.

He has a lot of time to improve, it's just one game and he will get more oportunities, but today this was not good.

He was playing in the number 6 role.

[The Skipper 20,609]

meh... Little to no influence. Has A LOT to learn

If Pogba plays as a number 6 and his freedom was shackled he wouldn't have much influence going forward either.