Chelsea’s Ruben Loftus-Cheek has spoken to Sky Sports about his time under interim manager, Guus Hiddink and how the Dutchman has faith in his ability. RLC got his first career goal for Chelsea, in an FA cup tie against Scunthorpe united. After a Lampard esque run into the box, the talented youngster sweetly tucked the ball away with his weaker foot. During Jose Mourinho’s time at the Bridge, he publicly came out and said that he rates the midfielder highly and promised him game time, something he never kept to.
The academy graduate turns 20 years old today, working towards a stating spot for his boyhood club. Ruben understand’s that his game time may be limited, but trusts his manager to use him at the right time.
I do not think he sees me as a young academy player, I think he sees me as a first-team player who can help the team. But being a young player is hard at Chelsea as the facts state that not many young players come through. But I will stay mentally strong and I think that when the time is right to play me, Guus will know and I trust him as a manager.
Loftus-Cheek admits that he was always shy around the first team players, but has adapt to his surroundings and gets on with them very well.
We crossed paths a few times and they [Chelsea’s first-team players] did come over and watch us over the road sometimes, so they kind of know our faces,” said Loftus-Cheek, who admitted to initially being “quite shy” around the likes of Ashley Cole and Fernando Torres.
And now I obviously have a better relationship with them.”John Terry is currently the last academy graduate to make it at Chelsea, and does whatever he can to help any prospect coming through. He has been a massive help to me and every youth player coming through, he gives advice and says, ‘You’ve got to work hard if you want to get close’.
Loftus-Cheek caught the eye of many after a sensational solo against Liverpool U21, where he picked the ball up from the kick off and just ran straight through the oppositions team, nutmegging the keeper to finish off the move.
Despite Chelsea terrible season so far, the England u21 international predicts that Chelsea will provide a huge challenge against London rivals and league leaders: Arsenal in a titans clash on Sunday.
Arsenal-Chelsea games can go either way, they are always competitive and physical and really good games technically. It is a massive game for us and them. In our situation now we need to win, we are doing better and it will be tough for Arsenal.
Ruben views this season’s experience as a positive for him, learning more about the game.
It has been a massive learning curve for me this season, as last season I came into the first team and we were winning every week, the atmosphere in the changing room was always jolly and lively. And then this season it has been a bit more different, so that is good for me to see both sides and how strong and close a team has to be to get back to winning ways.
Chelsea are yet to lose a game under Hiddink this season, and the young midfielder is adamant that Chelsea could resurrect their form from last season’s campaign in which the club lifted up their 5th Premier league title.
We have to try and work hard in training as a group, stick close together and try and win games of football like we have been doing recently. We have to forget what has happened and how we performed at the start. We play different now, are starting to win games and have a chance now to finish the season strongly.