5 hours ago, Barry Bridges said:

hahahah thanks for the person who called Jorginho a defensive midfielder, I needed that!

 

 

He actually has a good defensive game. He's often making good interceptions and tackles, however where he finds problems is not being the most athletic when the game is stretched his body can't keep up with his head.

But the whole idea of this football once fully implemented is the chances to expose that are minimul. 

Only complaint I have about RLC is I’d like to see more consistency, what he did tonight, I want to see that week in week out, I’d like him to become a constant threat for us. Some games he’s quiet, some games he’s bossing it. I know it’s impossible to reach Lampard level consistency, but it would be nice if he could get 10-15 goals regularly in the league 

Yep, it's what we've all been saying about RLC. His potential looks unlimited. At times he is a Rolls Royce of a footballer and looks capable of anything. But too often he plays within himslef and is happy to coast through spells of a game. Even last night, he started well then for 15-20 minutes I don't think I recall him touching the ball. Then he was back on it and the best player on the pitch. If we can get him to be consistent and 100% fit and injury free, we will have some player.

 

Edited May 3, 20197 yr by Nibs

Sarri has said RLC got a back cramp yesterday and asked for the substitution. It's a real shame he keeps having these back issues. An injury free loftus cheek with regular game time would be a sight to behold.

10 minutes ago, CFCholland said:

Sarri has said RLC got a back cramp yesterday and asked for the substitution. It's a real shame he keeps having these back issues. An injury free loftus cheek with regular game time would be a sight to behold.

It's a shame though Sarri could have used Barkley. I wonder why he didn't?

14 minutes ago, Strider6003 said:

It's a shame though Sarri could have used Barkley. I wonder why he didn't?

Kovacic is better in possession than Barkley and 1-1 away from home is a great result. 

(Not saying I agree with it necessarily, but that's why he did it)

 

Edited May 3, 20197 yr by bisright1

14 minutes ago, Strider6003 said:

It's a shame though Sarri could have used Barkley. I wonder why he didn't?

Because he ain't very good.

1 hour ago, Nibs said:

Yep, it's what we've all been saying about RLC. His potential looks unlimited. At times he is a Rolls Royce of a footballer and looks capable of anything. But too often he plays within himslef and is happy to coast through spells of a game. Even last night, he started well then for 15-20 minutes I don't think I recall him touching the ball. Then he was back on it and the best player on the pitch. If we can get him to be consistent and 100% fit and injury free, we will have some player.

 

Continue to get snarky comments from pundits about RLC. Oh he's so good why doesn't Sarri trust him. Maybe RLC should leave

He plays almost every game, recently as a starter. He's got a back injury and that needs to be managed. If he could stay fit he'd be an automatic pick every game. 

Of all the things to beat Sarri with, loftus cheek isn't one of them. 

Got to admit, I'm really impressed with him, and of course @RIP Mourinho is right again ? 

I was always impressed with him, even at Palace but I wasn't sure if he could really make it here, Southgate selecting him in the WC squad though boosted my confidence in him, he's obviously showing him that he's talented. But I always thought he was more of a luxury player, after this season I'm very confident he is Chelsea material. Shame about the back injury, but we have to go all out ont his lad, he is the future, him and CHO should he ever have a good recovery. 

1 hour ago, Slojo said:

Got to admit, I'm really impressed with him, and of course @RIP Mourinho is right again ? 

I was always impressed with him, even at Palace but I wasn't sure if he could really make it here, Southgate selecting him in the WC squad though boosted my confidence in him, he's obviously showing him that he's talented. But I always thought he was more of a luxury player, after this season I'm very confident he is Chelsea material. Shame about the back injury, but we have to go all out ont his lad, he is the future, him and CHO should he ever have a good recovery. 

Whether you're Sarri in or out he should get universal praise for the work he's done with Ruben. Mourinho and Conte didn't bother with him, Roy put him out of position to cover his weaknesses, Sarri has really worked on coaching him (earlier in the season he was calling Loftus over to the sidelines for instructions at almost every opportunity). Ruben's rise has been Sarri's best work in my opinion, obviously RLC deserves credit too.

If I'm going to be really picky I feel he still overthinks things a bit in the final third and can get caught in three minds not knowing whether to shoot, pass or carry on his run (the pass before his big miss last night case in point, he hesitated with whether to pass or shoot and it allowed Frankfurt defense to make a better shape by the time he passed) but other than that I couldn't be happier with his progress.

Edited May 3, 20197 yr by Argo

1 hour ago, Argo said:

Whether you're Sarri in or out he should get universal praise for the work he's done with Ruben. Mourinho and Conte didn't bother with him, Roy put him out of position to cover his weaknesses, Sarri has really worked on coaching him (earlier in the season he was calling Loftus over to the sidelines for instructions at almost every opportunity). Ruben's rise has been Sarri's best work in my opinion, obviously RLC deserves credit too.

If I'm going to be really picky I feel he still overthinks things a bit in the final third and can get caught in three minds not knowing whether to shoot, pass or carry on his run (the pass before his big miss last night case in point, he hesitated with whether to pass or shoot and it allowed Frankfurt defense to make a better shape by the time he passed) but other than that I couldn't be happier with his progress.

I agree with that, you've always been critical of RLC but you've always been fair about that criticism. I understand the scepticism, more youngsters fail to reach their potential than they succeed, that's just a fact. And Ruben still has ways to go, but I definitely think he has exceeded expectations and for that merit alone I'm willing to put a lot of faith into him. 

Sarri thinks Ruben will always have back issues, but may not need surgery. Shame. 

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/may/03/ruben-loftus-cheek-sarri-back-problems

The 23-year-old has a curve in the spine in his lower back has suffered muscular spasms since he was a teenager and, along with a specific training routine, has taken up yoga in an attempt to manage the problem.

“I don’t think he will need surgery,” said Sarri, who watched Loftus-Cheek put in a dominant performance in the Europa League draw with Eintracht Frankfurt on Thursday. “We have to control him. He needs, probably, a particular way of training for sure. I think [he will suffer the problems] for a long period, probably for ever. But we can avoid an operation. In the last month he has been able to train every day so, for us, it’s really very important. Now he is fit and, in Germany, he played very well before suffering from cramp. That can happen of course. But I am really very happy with him.”

Loftus-Cheek is likely to be called up to Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the Nations League in Portugal, where England will play twice next month. “I will be happy for him [if he is selected],” said Sarri, “but I think it is better for him to try to recover completely.”

On 03/05/2019 at 19:15, Argo said:

Whether you're Sarri in or out he should get universal praise for the work he's done with Ruben. Mourinho and Conte didn't bother with him, Roy put him out of position to cover his weaknesses, Sarri has really worked on coaching him (earlier in the season he was calling Loftus over to the sidelines for instructions at almost every opportunity). Ruben's rise has been Sarri's best work in my opinion, obviously RLC deserves credit too.

If I'm going to be really picky I feel he still overthinks things a bit in the final third and can get caught in three minds not knowing whether to shoot, pass or carry on his run (the pass before his big miss last night case in point, he hesitated with whether to pass or shoot and it allowed Frankfurt defense to make a better shape by the time he passed) but other than that I couldn't be happier with his progress.

I have actually been thinking recently a run up top could well be good for him. He has the frame, presence, pace, skill and eye for goal. He is more confident now and can bully defenders better. I know we tried before but that was under a different system. I think being in the final third will make him make quicker decisions and he can nurse himself through games to ensure that his back doesn't play up too much. Let's be honest centre forwards wandering around at walking pace for periods of matches is not exactly a novel experience for us.

I think he could add an extra dimension to his game by giving him a run as a striker.

I do worry about him being able to play 2 games a week next season. It does get pretty hectic when the CL really gets going. I think we need to bring someone else in. Whether that's Mount or someone else is up to the powers that be but I think to bank on Reuben being a constant starter would be naive.

Humble Pie time:

Not a big fan at all until yesterday - he played superbly.

Hope his back issue gets sorted (and he plays like this most of the time) as it's nice to have a big marauding lump in the middle as opposed to our current midgets.

Edited May 6, 20197 yr by Bloo

Rubens vs Watford

 

Garth Crooks:

Quote

Ruben Loftus-Cheek: This is a lad I thought was better off staying at Crystal Palace on loan, playing every week and continuing his international development as a consequence of playing regularly. However the player decided to return to Chelsea - or more to the point, the club insisted he returned.

Immediately his game time dropped, he lost all the momentum he gained from his time at Palace and he struggled to be the star his performances suggest he might be.

It's time Ruben Loftus-Cheek made some serious decisions about his career at Chelsea. The lad can play, as was clearly evident against Watford.

Muppet! 

8 minutes ago, Old Shaggy said:

Garth Crooks:

Muppet! 

f**king hell. The number of times pundits get this wrong is ridiculous. 

Leaving doesn't cure his back problems!

12 minutes ago, bisright1 said:

f**king hell. The number of times pundits get this wrong is ridiculous. 

Leaving doesn't cure his back problems!

Wasn't Garth Crooks the same guy who once selected Troy Deeney as a bloody defensive midfielder in one TOTW?

Says it all, I think. 

16 minutes ago, bisright1 said:

f**king hell. The number of times pundits get this wrong is ridiculous. 

Leaving doesn't cure his back problems!

 

Oh well the pundits are spinning their own narratives - let them - meanwhile will know the real deal - checkout the post match comments from RLC & the confidence Don Maurizio is giving the lad

 

He’s seriously talented, the kind of talent that’s hard to buy. Recent performances have been very good. Hints of Essien when galloping forward and Lamps once in the box!

Garth Crooks is a fat necked spud. No player serious about their career would listen to anything he has to say.

4 hours ago, ForeverCarefree said:

Garth Crooks is a fat necked spud. No player serious about their career would listen to anything he has to say.

A recent gem:

https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/celtic-should-bin-neil-lennon-14999569

11 hours ago, PloKoon13 said:

A recent gem:

https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/celtic-should-bin-neil-lennon-14999569

There’s just zero logic to the man’s ramblings. 

Yes Gerrard might go on to be a successful manager but he’s done nothing to suggest he will (yet). It’s almost as if Crooks hasn’t bothered to check that Lennon won the title with Celtic the three years he was there as permanent manager. Who else is there that would take the job with better experience?

12 hours ago, PloKoon13 said:

A recent gem:

https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/celtic-should-bin-neil-lennon-14999569

Hes a f**king moron, I honestly think the only reason hes still at the bbc is he fills a quota place.