Conte has said he likes rlc up the pitch in a 'striker' position.

"Ruben, I see this player is young with great potential," Conte continued. "I like him a lot in the striker position. He has good technique, a good personality, he is good one v one, and it's normal that a young player can improve.

"Antonio Conte is considering abandoning his plans to sign another central midfield player this summer because of his belief in the potential of Ruben Loftus-Cheek.

Chelsea’s proposed move for Radja Nainggolan, the Belgium midfielder, has collapsed as a result of Roma’s valuation and the club were still planning to sign another combative midfield player after completing the transfer of N’Golo Kante at the weekend, but Loftus-Cheek could provide an alternative."-Times

The article tails off reporting that Conte is targeting a new centre half, with Kalidou Koulibaly and Kostas Manolas his top targets.

Just goes to show the trouble young players have these days. If we'd have been successful signing Nainggolan then RLC would have lost a chance to play without even kicking a ball in front of his new manager.

Not just a Mourinho issue, it's a wider issue. Whether it's an issue with managers in general, or an issue with our own board being too willing to negotiate transfers before a manager has had a chance to fully assess what we already have, i dont know. 

He only played some 10 mins but he has improved from what I can see.

Did Conte really say he can play as a striker?

A striker under Conte (a supporting striker that is) is pretty much a #10, not vastly different from what he has been playing

Attacking midfielder, can't see him a striker.

Be interesting to see how RLC develops under Conte. He seems positive about him at the minute. I think RLC has shown enough to be given a decent shot.

Same with Traore and Kennedy.

He will need to run more than what he did last season the few times he came on, that is for sure. I will be glad if he develops into a great player under Conte, he's got potential, but I wasn't impressed with his work rate in the pitch last season. (But last season was really bad for the whole team)

"Exciting!" Loftus-Cheek's reaction to playing up front

"I am playing in a striker role at the moment, which is different," he said.

"It was the first time I played there, so there is a lot to get used to about the role and how the boss wants us to play. It is exciting.

"I am just looking to play as much as I can. I will ask the boss what he wants from me and try to do what he asks. I will be myself on the pitch and try and play how I play as that's what has got me here."

"I think I can do a job in midfield as well, I told the boss I will play where he wants me to play.

"It is not a problem if he wants me to play as a striker, I will play there. At the moment I just want to be playing games."

It will certianly be interesting see if he can adapt to the support striker role. He has the touch and scoring ability to do it. I like him in that role.

Loftus-Cheek's Chelsea career in peril after serious PR blunder:

 

Socks AND sandals? Sell him now

But they don't half look comfy

Eden wearing nike!!....already!

Eden wearing nike!!....already!

 

 

I think he is sponsored by them for his footwear 

Socks AND sandals? Sell him now

Ha ha ha .....       Should at least get a verbal warning from the 'fashion police' !

Not a striker. Does not have the instincts. His play can be developed but that instinct will always be missing.

Edited July 28, 20169 yr by didierforever

Not a striker. Does not have the instincts. His play can be developed but that instinct will always be missing.

 

Personally I think Conte is using him there just because he doesn't yet have all of the players he wants for his system so Ruben is filling in for now. 

 

Once the season starts I really don't expect to see him him playing up front. 

What I don't understand is why Conte played RLC as striker instead of Batman (when Costa is not playing). Does he need to rest after the Euro and that is why Conte is using RLC as striker?

What I don't understand is why Conte played RLC as striker instead of Batman (when Costa is not playing). Does he need to rest after the Euro and that is why Conte is using RLC as striker?

 

Im hoping he will pair batman and Costa against MAdrid.

 

I don tthink he is filing in with RLC. That would be unfair on the player to be honest. I agree that he is not naturally a striker, but Conte obviosuly sees something.

Loftus-Cheek's Chelsea career in peril after serious PR blunder:

 

 

He's in good company

Personally I think Conte is using him there just because he doesn't yet have all of the players he wants for his system so Ruben is filling in for now. 

 

Once the season starts I really don't expect to see him him playing up front. 

Maybe, but honestly, I dont think we are getting any other forwards. We have costa, batshuayi, traore, remy. 

Its actually in the mid where we lack quality as well as quantity, Personally, I had thought RLC would make up for some of that lack. 

Lets see how the season pans out.

Not a striker. Does not have the instincts. His play can be developed but that instinct will always be missing.

 

I agree with this comment, and on top of this I would rather see Conte devote his time to really honing Traore and bringing him on. If Costa does go, we will not get some the names being bandied about, they will all want CL football. Therefore I think this season will be about the players we create as much as those we buy. I think with some hard work and education/direction, Traore can be the real deal. I would rather Conte and his team really get into this kid and turn him into the next big striker, alongside Michy. Of course I would still like to keep hold of Costa, but only if he wants to be here. Please not another season of prissy behaviour and no product.

He's pinched Traore's squad number for the new season apparently.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek impressing as a striker for Antonio Conte’s Chelsea

 

http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11668/10549489/ruben-loftus-cheek-impressing-as-a-striker-for-antonio-conte8217s-chelsea

"In this system, with two midfielders, Ruben can play close to the other forward but become a forward when we have the ball."

 

 

I agree with that statement, I think RLC has the power to go forward with the ball, he is very strong. When he joins a counter attack he runs closer to the striker and becomes a second forward, I like that. Let's see how it goes for him.