Chelsea youth Ruben Loftus-Cheek looks set to start for England in the World Cup. The road has been long, but he deserves his chance.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek is one of those players who feels as though he has been around forever. In a way, he has. He has been with Chelsea since he was eight, and he began to get noticed early in his youth career.
Jose Mourinho saw the potential in the young midfielder and brought him into first team training. Antonio Conte tried to integrate the Englishman, but pressure to succeed at Chelsea was so strong that he chose older, more experienced players. Eventually, Loftus-Cheek decided that the only way to break through was on loan.
And Loftus-Cheek was incredibly successful at Crystal Palace. So successful, in fact, that he could spend months injured and he still made the English team for the World Cup. And he made himself known on the world stage.
Loftus-Cheek was a late sub in the match against Tunisisa. In his short ten minute cameo, it is largely believed that he did more than Dele Alli was able to do in 80 minutes or Jesse Lingard was able to do in almost 90. Loftus-Cheek was so impressive that even rival fans said he must start the next match.
He could have gotten that chance regardless, but Dele Alli has picked up a knock and may miss out. That all but guarantees Loftus-Cheek starts. And he deserves it.
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At 22, Loftus-Cheek took the long way around. He was always promised to be a future great. Perhaps because of that, he chose to stay at Chelsea and try to break through. By the time he decided to go on loan, he was already 21, three years older than most that went on loan.
Regardless, Loftus-Cheek plays with the air of a professional with vastly more experience than he actually has. He looked completely in his comfort zone when playing a World Cup match. Not only is he on the verge of breaking through for England at this World Cup, but he is on the verge of doing so at Chelsea as well.
Maurizio Sarri is all but confirmed as Chelsea manager. He has preferred a 4-3-3 formation in recent years, but has also dipped into a 4-3-1-2. Loftus-Cheek could play a few different roles in either system, but he will most likely play on the left side. Coincidentally, that is likely where Chelsea need a midfielder.
If Sarri is serious about preparing for the Chelsea job, he will be watching Loftus-Cheek at the World Cup. He seems near tailor made for what Chelsea needs and what Sarri needs. He had to take a step backwards to succeed and he now deserves his chance at Chelsea after such a long wait.
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Loftus-Cheek is not just a loan system success story, but an academy success story. He will have gone through the full process from eight to adult. From academy to loan to first team. He will be a shining beacon for what Chelsea can offer players. And Loftus-Cheek deserves every bit of it.