Sadly, RLC is almost certainly done as an attacking midfielder at Chelsea, given he is up against Mount, Hudson-Odoi, Ziyech, Havertz, Pulisic and Barkley (assuming we don't sell him to Villa) for a slot in the team, and he is currently a country mile behind all of them, including Havertz.

Edited February 6, 20215 yr by Sexyfootball

On 06/02/2021 at 20:27, Sexyfootball said:

Sadly, RLC is almost certainly done as an attacking midfielder at Chelsea, given he is up against Mount, Hudson-Odoi, Ziyech, Havertz, Pulisic and Barkley (assuming we don't sell him to Villa) for a slot in the team, and he is currently a country mile behind all of them, including Havertz.

Yeah. I know we have a new coach and TT has said it's a clean slate for everyone, but can't see RLC in future plans.

Was thinking Fulham or West Ham, might be his level, but a couple of Fulham fans I have spoken to recons his not even good enough for their starting 11 (could just be anti-CFC bias)!!

3 hours ago, Nibs said:

Yeah. I know we have a new coach and TT has said it's a clean slate for everyone, but can't see RLC in future plans.

Was thinking Fulham or West Ham, might be his level, but a couple of Fulham fans I have spoken to recons his not even good enough for their starting 11 (could just be anti-CFC bias)!!

I think RLC is a good player in a good team when you can appreciate what he brings.

when your team is struggling for results his languid style may not go down so well even if he is playing ok.

Too many injuries, and he's 25 now isn't he? He's not a kid anymore. When you look at what Mount is doing in the team at a much younger age it speaks volumes. 

It's a sad state of affairs and it's a "what could've been" unfortunately. I also think his dad has a point about Mourinho, RLC should've broke through the ranks much earlier, even under Conte, to Sarri's credit he did give him and CHO a chance. It's just a big shame he was out for a year when Lampard came in, because Lampard would've definitely played him. 

A year out can kill anyone's career, just look at Jack Wilshere, wasn't the same player after he was out for that long. 

13 hours ago, Nibs said:

Yeah. I know we have a new coach and TT has said it's a clean slate for everyone, but can't see RLC in future plans.

Was thinking Fulham or West Ham, might be his level, but a couple of Fulham fans I have spoken to recons his not even good enough for their starting 11 (could just be anti-CFC bias)!!

I think he might even be better off trying a complete change of scenery somewhere like Serie A ? The slower pace and technical football might suit him very well. He had his best form under Sarri, so maybe when Sarri gets another manager job he might come in for RLC ?

Edited February 18, 20215 yr by Sexyfootball

I watched RLC when he came on for Fulham yesterday and got me thinking that he's unlikely to have much of a future at Chelsea going forward. 

The rapid rise of Mason Mount over the last couple of seasons and the expensive purchase of Havertz means that there's little room in the squad for someone of his skill set. 

But it wasn't too long back that he signed a new 5 year deal, presumably on fairly heft wages. 

RLC is 25 now, not exactly old but you have to wonder how much room there is for imrprovement now but does he face a future of loans, silmilar to the Fulham one, for the majority of the duration of his current contract? 

30 minutes ago, ForeverCarefree said:

I watched RLC when he came on for Fulham yesterday and got me thinking that he's unlikely to have much of a future at Chelsea going forward. 

The rapid rise of Mason Mount over the last couple of seasons and the expensive purchase of Havertz means that there's little room in the squad for someone of his skill set. 

But it wasn't too long back that he signed a new 5 year deal, presumably on fairly heft wages. 

RLC is 25 now, not exactly old but you have to wonder how much room there is for imrprovement now but does he face a future of loans, silmilar to the Fulham one, for the majority of the duration of his current contract? 

I watched a little of him only because of lockdown and having more time. Lookman has caught my eye probably their best attacker yet getting back to RLC he has played a lot yet was on the bench last time out probably because of the opposition. I guess his slower movement around the pitch cost him a starting slot against Liverpool. 

I get the feeling Fulham have good medical people and he has had good advice about managing his injuries.

He stands out as being less mobile that the other players with a bit more technical skill though unusually recently has had a couple of chances and snatched at them.

I agree he is better to stay on loan if he wants to play regularly.

 

36 minutes ago, ForeverCarefree said:

I watched RLC when he came on for Fulham yesterday and got me thinking that he's unlikely to have much of a future at Chelsea going forward. 

The rapid rise of Mason Mount over the last couple of seasons and the expensive purchase of Havertz means that there's little room in the squad for someone of his skill set. 

But it wasn't too long back that he signed a new 5 year deal, presumably on fairly hefty wages. 

RLC is 25 now, not exactly old but you have to wonder how much room there is for imrprovement now but does he face a future of loans, silmilar to the Fulham one, for the majority of the duration of his current contract? 

I'm sure he's on a fantastic deal with us, but I agree that I can't see him fitting into the current team. I know Parker rates him very highly, but I've watched him a fair bit this season and his mobility still looks an issue for me. He looks awkward and lacking in agility, and appears very slow on the turn. And he hasn't exactly been productive in an attacking sense, in terms of goals and assists.

2 minutes ago, Backbiter said:

I'm sure he's on a fantastic deal with us, but I agree that I can't see him fitting into the current team. I know Parker rates him very highly, but I've watched him a fair bit this season and his mobility still looks an issue for me. He looks awkward and lacking in agility, and appears very slow on the turn. And he hasn't exactly been productive in an attacking sense, in terms of goals and assists.

Granted I've not watched a lot of him this season but yesterday, considering he was only coming on for the last 15 minutes, I was surprised by how little he sprinted. 

Fulham were trying to close out the game and he was one of the two most advanced players and I thought he'd be expected to rush their defenders or midfielders into playing the ball but he barely ran, let alone sprinted. 

He still looks quite comfortable on the ball but when I contrast to the work rate and work ethic we see week in, week out from Mason Mount it's not even a close contest of who you'd want at Chelsea right now.

We've seen it at Palace and now Fulham, managers don't seem to want to play him deeper so he wouldn't even be competition for Jorginho, Kante and Kovacic in our midfield so I'm just not sure where he fit in at Chelsea. 

He's been really underwhelming for Fulham and had a horrible cameo against Liverpool. I'm sure Parker was tempted to take him off again the way he was looking out there.

It's unfortunate but the ship has sailed for him here at this club. Hopefully we can sell him for good money.

Never given a chance... At one point he had made more first team starts for England than he had Chelsea. Shame because he is a very very good player. Would offer so much more than Jorginho and Kovacic... who offer nothing and carry no threat forwards scoring or passing. lifeless players with no passion. 

1 hour ago, Backbiter said:

I'm sure he's on a fantastic deal with us, but I agree that I can't see him fitting into the current team. I know Parker rates him very highly, but I've watched him a fair bit this season and his mobility still looks an issue for me. He looks awkward and lacking in agility, and appears very slow on the turn. And he hasn't exactly been productive in an attacking sense, in terms of goals and assists.

 

2 minutes ago, cfcwomble said:

Never given a chance... At one point he had made more first team starts for England than he had Chelsea. Shame because he is a very very good player. Would offer so much more than Jorginho and Kovacic...

They don't play in the same positions, comparing Ruben against those two is about as useful as comparing him to Mendy.

Reading about Mourinho talking about Bale this morning, and it occurs to me that RLC is probably similarly afflicted ... ?

"I found psychological scars. When you have a couple of seasons with lots of injuries I think it is not about the muscular scars but the psychological scars - that brings fears and instability.

"There is a moment when you are working very well and everyone around you is giving everything we can give, there is a moment where that psychological barrier has to be broken. And he broke it. It was him, not us. We just supported him."

23 hours ago, Argo said:

They don't play in the same positions, comparing Ruben against those two is about as useful as comparing him to Mendy.

What positions do they play in argo if not midfield? 

2 minutes ago, cfcwomble said:

What positions do they play in argo if not midfield? 

One plays higher the others play deeper/controlling roles. If you want to compare Ruben to any of our players it's Mason (Gallagher aswell if we extend the argument to other loanee's) and he's light years behind, especially from a tactical point of view.

I'd have said RLC is now a deeper lying midfielder. I always considered him box to box and never creative enough to be in a traditional 10 role. His boat has sailed anyhow at Chelsea. We're sadly stuck with Kovacic and Jorghino for now and watching both last night was frustrating. Kovacic passed the ball out into touch and anything forward through the lines was wasted. The last time I saw a ball passed out of play into touch direct was Bakayoko live against United. Could stop laughing at that one. 

Hard to see him fitting back into this Chelsea side now. I’m big fan but it looks like his team might be up 

Was a big fan. A massive fan but after the Brighton game I realised he just 'aint it's and never will be (good enough for Chelsea first team standard). 

Certain players whether they've played alot or not you get that vibe. Mount and James have what it takes, CHO is looking like he also does. Tammy certainly doesn't and neither does Ruben. I think its a mixture of confidence and also effort or lack of when you are paid so much so young.

Rumours that Ruben isn’t part of Chelsea’s plans next season and the club are open to selling him. Hard to him coming back in now and looks like his time is up unfortunately. He’s probably better at another club so that he can make the most of his career. 

Yeah I’ve given up on him. He’s had enough chances, shame the injury have ruined him.

He really could have been truly special but injuries have just hamper him and his constant back issues have stunted his development.

Better for all concerned if he moves on.

It seems like Sarri is taking charge of Lazio and his target is RLC.

13 minutes ago, IliyaKrostin said:

It seems like Sarri is taking charge of Lazio and his target is RLC.

That reminds me of Higuain coming here.

Time to move him on. Injuries haven't helped his career so far, but he's also never really settled into a best position and we have better players in all the midfield roles than him now.

If Sarri does want Ruben (it's what I've read also) this could be a very good opportunity for us to give him one more loan before deciding whether to reintegrate him into the first team or let him go depending how successful the loan would go.

On the other hand Sarri may want to buy him outright or TT could want to keep him in the squad after pre season.