In Focus: Loftus-Cheek is finally getting the Rub of the green

Much of the talk at Chelsea has centred around how Mason Mount will link up with returning loanee Conor Gallagher next season — but Ruben Loftus-Cheek may have thrown a spanner in the works.

After years of injuries problems halting his progress, the 26-year-old has impressed in a number of positions for Thomas Tuchel this season. 

The academy graduate even fired home the opener in the Blues’ 2-0 FA Cup semi-final win over Crystal Palace on Sunday.

As Chelsea prepare for a quick turnaround against Arsenal tomorrow night, we look at whether Loftus-Cheek still has a long-term future at Stamford Bridge.

Playing the long game

Loftus-Cheek has been a well-known name in West London for the best part of a decade after being earmarked as a potential star when developing in the Cobham academy.

But injury problems suffered at the wrong times have largely prevented him from featuring regularly in the Blues' midfield.

Loftus-Cheek’s Premier League breakthrough came at Crystal Palace during the 2017-18 season, where his form earned him a place in England’s 2018 World Cup squad. 

He then followed it up with his most influential campaign at Chelsea to date — making 40 appearances in all competitions under Maurizio Sarri in 2018-19.

But a serious Achilles injury during a post-season tour saw him miss almost the entirety of the following season before then spending last term on loan at Fulham, where he struggled to set the world alight as they were relegated.

Confidence shot

While his ability has never been in doubt, it seemed the injury problems had started to be hindrance on how he could affect games.

In the aftermath of Sunday’s win, Loftus-Cheek opened up on how his issues had affected him mentally as well as physically.

The midfielder said: "It’s hard when you haven’t played for a while.

"It’s hard to have the confidence to come back and just hit the ground running. It’s not easy, especially after that injury. My game was power and you lose power.

"Confidence comes from playing a lot, being exposed to it every week. You get confidence and it becomes second nature to do things you do on the pitch. 

"If you don’t have confidence you second-guess yourself and it becomes a lot of over-thinking on the pitch. That’s what I’ve had for a lot of my career."

Handyman

Despite another loan or perhaps even a permanent exit appearing likely at the start of the current campaign, Loftus-Cheek has proven himself to be a handy member of Tuchel’s ranks since — making 32 appearances in all competitions.

His physicality and technical ability mean he has been able to fill in a number of positions, featuring in attacking, central and defensive midfield, on the right and even at centre-back.

He was a surprise pick at right wing-back in their stunning victory at Real Madrid last week, when the Blues fell just short on aggregate in the Champions League quarter-finals.

In a further show of faith from the German boss, he was chosen ahead of N'Golo Kante to enter the fray at Wembley in his familiar midfield position on Sunday following an injury to Mateo Kovacic.

He responded by firing home an emphatic opener just after the hour mark which saw Chelsea eventually cruise to victory.

He added after the game: "I feel like the manager trusts me which gives me a lot of confidence, playing me against Real Madrid [in the Champions League last week] and bringing me on in the semi-final. That says a lot. 

"I’m grateful to be in this position. Now we have to kick on."

England return?

Continuing this injury-free run may just put himself back in contention for an England recall.

He is without a Three Lions appearance for just under three-and-a-half years but the 10 caps he has won, including three at the World Cup in Russia, show Gareth Southgate is clearly a fan.

With Mount jumping ahead of him to become an England regular and likely team-mate next season Gallagher also making his senior bow this term, Loftus-Cheek will know a return will be a challenge but also far from out of the question.

He added: "I’ve always believed I’m good enough to play for England. It’s just been that I’ve had to not think about it for a while. Just purely because I didn’t feel ready.

"I didn’t feel my best, didn’t feel confident in my body. Now I can say my body doesn’t go through my mind. I feel fit. I feel strong. I feel quick. And on the ball, I’ve never second-guessed that.

"I just want to kick on but I have to take it day by day, game by game. Okay, it’s in the back of your head but it’s not the main focus."

If he can continue to repay Tuchel’s trust, a bright future may still be on the cards — for Chelsea and England.