Ruben Loftus-Cheek started against Costa Rica in England’s friendly yesterday, and finished with an impressive stat under his belt.
The Chelsea midfielder kept things ticking over for the Three Lions in the middle of the park, playing in a slightly deeper role than usual.
He found a teammate with every single pass he made during the game – although he was hardly up against an intense opposition press, with Costa Rica sitting deeper and deeper.
34 – Ruben Loftus-Cheek completed every single pass he attempted for England in the game against Costa Rica tonight (34/34). Control. pic.twitter.com/ibuNIDyWBu
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 7, 2018
This more conservative deployment, in front of the back four, lead to some criticism at half time. The ITV pundits were wanting to see the Crystal Palace midfielder bursting forward as he does at club level, but this was clearly how Gareth Southgate had asked him to play.
He still doesn’t look set for a start just at this moment, but if Dele Alli or Jesse Lingard show weakness in the first couple of group games, RLC has shown he can do more than just one role already.
