Chelsea FC teenager Ruben Loftus-Cheek impressed in his first start of the season against UEFA Champions League Group G opponents Maccabi Tel-Aviv, much to the delight of the Stamford Bridge faithful.
Chelsea FC manager Jos Mourinho made several changes to the side that lost 3-1 at Goodison Park against Everton on Saturday, with England U21 international Ruben Loftus-Cheek coming in for Serbian Nemanja Mati at the centre of the Blues’ midfield.
The 19-year-old put in a mature performance playing in the midfield double-pivot alongside Cesc F bregas, showcasing his physicality as well as his technical ability in an impressive display. The youngster, who has been with the club from the U8s group, has now put in two quality shifts — first coming against Crystal Palace — and will have done his long-term chances no harm whatsoever.
Chelsea FC fans excited by Loftus-Cheek display
The Blues’ lack of a club-grown player in the first-team other than captain John Terry has always been a stick that critics have used to beat Chelsea FC with over the years. The emergence of Ruben Loftus-Cheek, then, is genuine cause for excitement for the Stamford Bridge faithful.
Although it is too early to make any claims about him having already ‘made it’ to the first team — Josh McEachran’s is a cautionary tale few have forgotten — there is a sense that Loftus-Cheek will eventually establish himself in the Blues’ first team.
His assured display against Maccabi Tel-Aviv, all the more impressive given he picked up a very early booking, has seen calls for the teenager to start against Arsenal FC on Saturday. Blues fans were full of praise for the Loftus-Cheek on social networking site Twitter following their team’s thumping 4-0 win over the Israeli minnows on Wednesday night.
Wonderful European debut from the boy Loftus-Cheek. What a prospect. #CFC
a ChelseaFansChannel (@ChelseaFansYT) September 16, 2015
A deserved standing ovation for Rub n Loftus-Cheek. Brilliant! #CFC a Lee Parker (@Leeparker_tv) September 16, 2015
MOTM Loftus-Cheek would be brilliant to see start against Arsenal! Could add some much needed spark to the squad.#CFC pic.twitter.com/QDLVoQWOhD
a ChelseaTalk (@TheBlues_Talk) September 17, 2015
Ruben off for Traore…very impressive display from Loftus-Cheek…all the more so given he was harshly booked after a minute a Simon Johnson (@sjstandardsport) September 16, 2015
On the basis of that performance, Loftus-Cheek arguably demands a start for #CFC against #AFC. Very different opposition, but even so…
a Dominic Fifield (@domfifield) September 16, 2015
Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s game by numbers: 93% pass accuracy 6 take-ons 2 tackles won 2 clearances Excellent outing. pic.twitter.com/3NmzxpOAKW a Squawka Football (@Squawka) September 16, 2015
Loftus-Cheek excellent for #cfc tonight. Unfazed by early booking. Broke up attacks. Very positive: calm, simple distribution (Nb oppo poor)
a Henry Winter (@henrywinter) September 16, 2015
Also very pleasing to see Loftus-Cheek have a good game. A very typical performance from him too with those driving runs through midfield. a Esk Weston (@EskWeston) . September 16, 2015
Again, worth noting the poor opposition but Loftus-Cheek showed his talent and unreal athleticism for his size tonight. Love him to make it.
a Will Dubey (@willd268) September 16, 2015
WATCH: Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s every Man of the Match touch from Wednesday #CFC | http://t.co/32vH9LvzVy pic.twitter.com/tX8N4ySKz5 a WAGNH (@WAGNH_CFC) September 17, 2015
