One interesting selection in Graham Potter’s starting XI today is Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
That’s not just because he’s returning slightly unexpectedly from injury, but also because of the role he will be playing.
It’s an exceptionally attacking team – Noni Madueke, Joao Felix, Kai Havertz, Myhkailo Mudryk and Enzo Fernandez all start – and according to Potter, RLC is there to provide some balance:
Graham Potter: "Ruben Loftus-Cheek provides a little bit of balance for the attacking players. Against West Ham you have to be strong in the boxes, defend set-pieces, so he helps us in that area as well." https://t.co/SQpj1I5Sq4
— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) February 11, 2023
He certainly has the size to compete in midfield and at set pieces, but we all know that Ruben is a box to box midfielder at heart, and he doesn’t really have the defensive instincts to play as a “6” on his own against top teams.
Given it’s one profile we’re lacking until Denis Zakaria is back, we could see a little more of Ruben in this role as the manager looks to pack his team with attacking talent as often as possible. Loftus-Cheek’s ever impressive versatility continues to serve him well.
