Good game in a different role, or rather different set of instructions. If he can do this regularly plus go into attacking mode when suitable like in the Saints game then he absolutely has a place in this team. His early season effectiveness has been snuffed out, not sure if it's because teams have worked him out but I'm glad Tuchel is working on making him effective again.

Still unsure what position he was actually playing last night. At times was out wide at RWB and at other times in the middle of the park. Either way, these last two games have been a good showing by him.

He was positionally and tactically outstanding last night, unfortunately he was pretty poor on the ball and as ever his passing was just to lackadaisical.

Great finish by Ruben. Pleased for him 

On 13/04/2022 at 11:54, RIP Mourinho said:

Still unsure what position he was actually playing last night. At times was out wide at RWB and at other times in the middle of the park. Either way, these last two games have been a good showing by him.

Is this muddying the water? As in: how do people who feared he has no future at Chelsea after his injury view it now? Possibly the new ownership will leave the club having to keep RLC due to an exodus of players, only currently on-loan players coming back and just enough cash available for that elusive 20+ goal a season striker.

Edited April 18, 20224 yr by Valerie

I had chills when that went in, first goal for Chelsea in 3 years. wow

4 hours ago, Valerie said:

Is this muddying the water? As in: how do people  who feared he has no future at Chelsea after his injury view it now? Possibly the new ownership will leave the club having to keep RLC due to an exodus of players, only currently on-loan players coming back and just enough cash available for that elusive 20+ goal a season striker.

I was one who felt he had not done enough to stay at CFC beyond this season. Not sure I have 100% changed my mind - from now until the end of the season will decide that. IF RLC can stay fit and avoid further injury and keep TT's trust, he may still be in the squad for next season. But all the pundits and even TT are saying the same thing. We all know there is a player in there somewhere but it's no good if he only shows up now and again and in training. Hope he can prove us doubters wrong once and for all.

 

 

7 minutes ago, Nibs said:

I was one who felt he had not done enough to stay at CFC beyond this season. Not sure I have 100% changed my mind - from now until the end of the season will decide that. IF RLC can stay fit and avoid further injury and keep TT's trust, he may still be in the squad for next season. But all the pundits and even TT are saying the same thing. We all know there is a player in there somewhere but it's no good if he only shows up now and again and in training. Hope he can prove us doubters wrong once and for all.

 

 

One goal and 3 good displays is not going to get my hopes up again around him.

I've thought Cheek's Chelsea career was over for some time now and whilst he has shown a little purple patch recently I don't think we should be planning with him as a future option. Just like Pulisic, Odoi and Ziyech he is a player who seems to have the odd upturn in form and people start to think they are finally seeing 'a player' and just as quickly they revert back to being a fairly ineffective player. 

I'd let him go if we get a fair offer

 

 

 

I agree with both of the above. And yet on his day, he can contribute as much if not more than Kovacic. He's certainly got more goals in him as he was able to show yesterday.

That said, on what he has shown this season, I would have Gallagher ahead of both of them next season.

 

He isn't going anywhere I reckon. High wages and doesn't show enough to convince other clubs to take the risk on him. 

47 minutes ago, Nibs said:

I agree with both of the above. And yet on his day, he can contribute as much if not more than Kovacic. He's certainly got more goals in him as he was able to show yesterday.

That said, on what he has shown this season, I would have Gallagher ahead of both of them next season.

 

If he is happy as a back up to back ups then no issue with him staying.

Ideally we would have 5 options for CM and he would be the 5th one, or 6 and he would be six if we switched to a midfield 3:

 

Kante

Kovacic

Gallagher

Rice (if we go to a 433 he is the anchor)

Bissouma

RLC

 

If we have no intention of going to the 433 chop rice from the list.

Why can’t he bloody pass forward! He makes me want to pull my hair out.

2 minutes ago, dansubrosa said:

Why can’t he bloody pass forward! He makes me want to pull my hair out.

He has a real physical presence and this means he can often hold the ball up and keep possession when he is being challenged, but I feel he isn't a natural athlete and doesn't offer enough defensively when needed. He doesn't really have pace, he doesn't read the play well from a defending perspective, and he isn't particularly great at timing tackles. For me all this means he needs to show more on the attacking front. Quicker forward passes, more dribbling past opponents, generally more impact. I still think there is a really good player in there but I'm not sure he is ever gonna come out. I feel exactly the same about CHO. I wouldn't lose much sleep if either of them were sold on TBH.

Like a lot of people I really like Ruben and hope he makes it at Chelsea but I seriously can’t imagine him playing a run of matches keeping other midfielders out the side.

Squad player at best unfortunately.

A poor man’s Barkley.  Without the shooting skills.

17 minutes ago, just said:

He has a real physical presence and this means he can often hold the ball up and keep possession when he is being challenged, but I feel he isn't a natural athlete and doesn't offer enough defensively when needed. He doesn't really have pace, he doesn't read the play well from a defending perspective, and he isn't particularly great at timing tackles. For me all this means he needs to show more on the attacking front. Quicker forward passes, more dribbling past opponents, generally more impact. I still think there is a really good player in there but I'm not sure he is ever gonna come out. I feel exactly the same about CHO. I wouldn't lose much sleep if either of them were sold on TBH.

I actually think you're being generous. I don't think there is a good player in there. Neither technically or mentally. And I fully agree about Odoi. Put them both up for sale and expect offers from the likes of Burnley, Brighton  or Spurs. Also ran sh*te in other words.

26 minutes ago, just said:

He has a real physical presence and this means he can often hold the ball up and keep possession when he is being challenged, but I feel he isn't a natural athlete and doesn't offer enough defensively when needed. He doesn't really have pace, he doesn't read the play well from a defending perspective, and he isn't particularly great at timing tackles. For me all this means he needs to show more on the attacking front. Quicker forward passes, more dribbling past opponents, generally more impact. I still think there is a really good player in there but I'm not sure he is ever gonna come out. I feel exactly the same about CHO. I wouldn't lose much sleep if either of them were sold on TBH.

He's 26. This is as good as he's ever going to get. He's not a goal scorer, not an assist maker and he's poor defensively. He's a luxury player who looks good because he's got a good touch but that's about it.

If he wasn't a Cobham lad Chelsea fans would have had far less patience with him. Same for CHO. although he's much younger.

Edited April 20, 20224 yr by abramovich

5 minutes ago, loz said:

I actually think you're being generous. I don't think there is a good player in there. Neither technically or mentally. And I fully agree about Odoi. Put them both up for sale and expect offers from the likes of Burnley, Brighton  or Spurs. Also ran sh*te in other words.

I'd offer Brighton RLC and CHO if they would let us have Bissouma and Lamptey.

49 minutes ago, Phillip said:

A poor man’s Barkley.  Without the shooting skills.

Damn!  How poor must that man be

6 hours ago, just said:

He has a real physical presence and this means he can often hold the ball up and keep possession when he is being challenged, but I feel he isn't a natural athlete and doesn't offer enough defensively when needed. He doesn't really have pace, he doesn't read the play well from a defending perspective, and he isn't particularly great at timing tackles. For me all this means he needs to show more on the attacking front. Quicker forward passes, more dribbling past opponents, generally more impact. I still think there is a really good player in there but I'm not sure he is ever gonna come out. I feel exactly the same about CHO. I wouldn't lose much sleep if either of them were sold on TBH.

Ruben is similar to pogba. Both player offer excellent ball carying ability n physical ability but both are just suspect defensively.

Again the same as pogba, ruben at his best in midfield 3 where he does not have the same defensive rensponsibility as in a 2.

On 18/04/2022 at 21:21, Sconnie Blue said:

He isn't going anywhere I reckon. High wages and doesn't show enough to convince other clubs to take the risk on him. 

One of my Palace mates, reckons they will make a bid.

1 hour ago, Bob stark said:

Ruben is similar to pogba. Both player offer excellent ball carying ability n physical ability but both are just suspect defensively.

Again the same as pogba, ruben at his best in midfield 3 where he does not have the same defensive rensponsibility as in a 2.

I think he´s more like Emre Can or Naby Keita. His decision-making, mental processing of the game is just too slow for playing in the middle of the park in the Premier League. He simply carries balls far too long, when he should move it along quicker. He´s not good enough of a dribbler either, so it will often result in turnovers. 

26 minutes ago, ElTerrible said:

I think he´s more like Emre Can or Naby Keita. His decision-making, mental processing of the game is just too slow for playing in the middle of the park in the Premier League. He simply carries balls far too long, when he should move it along quicker. He´s not good enough of a dribbler either, so it will often result in turnovers. 

I barely watched those two player so I can't comment. 

You are right about ruben tendency but that is because he is not really a midfielder. What you need to do and where do you need to be does not come naturally for him. Unlike kante or kova who prefer to get the ball deep, ruben actually prefer to get the ball higher.

I actually thought he was one of the better players last night, certainly better than Kante in the middle of the park. Won the ball up high for our first goal and watched him on several times tracking back better than Kante.