Chelsea: Everton loan for Ruben Loftus-Cheek should be a last resort
By Travis Tyler
Chelsea’s Ruben Loftus-Cheek has been linked to a loan at Everton. The Blues should only consider this as a last resort for the young Englishman.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek has had a long, winding career. Joining Chelsea at 8, he was again and again promised as the next big thing. Manager after manager kept him around hoping to give him a breakthrough. It never happened. All of Jose Mourinho, Guus Hiddink, and Antonio Conte failed to find a way to implement him from holding mid to striker.
But Loftus-Cheek found himself at Crystal Palace and excelled. His role there was largely that of a tempo setter in the middle. Not too much offense of defensive responsibility, just looking around and getting the ball where it needed to be. He earned a spot in the English squad and even a start against Panama. But his future is hard to determine.
He should be starting at Chelsea. Many former players and commentators have said so. And Loftus-Cheek himself does not want to return to being on the bench. He needs to play. If Chelsea cannot offer that, then he will need to go elsewhere. That is why he has been linked to a loan at Everton. Chelsea will be tempted, but it should only be a last resort.
Maurizio Sarri is expected to be Chelsea manager next season and implement his 4-3-3. His midfield three has traditionally consisted of players capable of setting the tempo as well as defending and attacking as a unit. Loftus-Cheek could use some help on his attacking runs and tracking back, but otherwise he is perfect for Sarri’s system. He should be starting over the likes of Cesc Fabregas, Ross Barkley, Tiemoue Bakayoko, and Danny Drinkwater.
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But Sarri is a manager that very much prefers “his guys”. Once he figures out his best 11, it will be difficult to break into the line up. If Loftus-Cheek can work his way in, fantastic, no further thought needed. But if Loftus-Cheek is not a sure starter, that Everton loan looks much more tempting.
Marco Silva allegedly wants Loftus-Cheek. That is a good start when it comes to playing time. But Everton are also well stacked in midfield after their spending spree last season. Loftus-Cheek could just as easily start as find himself on the bench just as he would at Chelsea. That would be a complete waste of his development and would leave Chelsea with few options for the Englishman.
That is why Everton must only be a last resort. It should come after Chelsea show they have no spot for him. Then it should come after any team that can guarantee him playing time, whether that be a return to Crystal Palace or elsewhere. Loftus-Cheek is now an English international, but he is also already 22. It is now or never for him.
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Chelsea should make every effort to use the Englishman before thinking about a loan. He has shown that he is ready for both the Premier League and other big stages such as the World Cup. But playing him is a need and Chelsea cannot completely rule out sending him away if it guarantees him minutes.