21 minutes ago, Osgood is Good said:

I thought Ruben was excellent when he came on, he made it look easy against City's press. Hope the lad gets his chance now, he looks ready imo

I agree. In games against pressing teams, basically, the Top 3, I like having Kovacic as an option because he works well in tight spaces and has a composed first touch, something we’re also now seeing from Ruben. 

When teams sit back and we need a hammer to break through; I like having the option of Barkley, because he’s more direct and forceful in the final third... something we’ve also seen out of Ruben. 

Basically, Ruben is playing great, and his versatility when he stepped into the front three is wonderful. 

Nice having some depth there and some guys that do some different things well. 

If Sarri trusts Ruben in the front three, he’ll play in virtually every game moving forward. 

Did well today, was expecting him to play through the middle when he came on but he did a great job on the left. Great first touch and such tidy feet. 

Super sub!!!!

I think Sarri has shown he trusts RLC even in a big game like today, and RLC has taken his recent chances well. I fully expect him to a lot get more playing time in the weeks ahead. We have a very busy schedule the next month.

Great to see him finally proving his quality and forcing his way into the team. Previously he was given minutes because he was “youth” and a great prospect, now he’s getting minutes because he’s earning them. 

Hopefully RLC now feels like he's part of a squad. Which he has now become. Rather than a backup. He's an integral part of our team. 

I would much rather be that at 22 than a star in a team like palace or Newcastle which some pundits probably still think he should go to. 

Sarri is clearly really starting to see the strides RLC has taken. Didn't think he'd be trusted to come on with the game in the balance against the best team in the league. Exciting.

8 hours ago, forbzy said:

I think Sarri has shown he trusts RLC even in a big game like today, and RLC has taken his recent chances well. I fully expect him to a lot get more playing time in the weeks ahead. We have a very busy schedule the next month.

I agree, the confidence Sarri has given RLC is clear to see, when he came on yesterday if that was last season he would of just concentrated on playing safe and staying out of trouble, but now he has loads more confidence, he's more direct, he nearly always tries to take the ball forward, which i love to see, he has extraordinary quick feet for a big player. Good news for Chelsea and the national team.

I wonder how he would have done under someone like Pochettino (who gave Dele Alli and several other Sp*urs youngsters a chance). He's older than Alli and yet is still far away from a starter. Unfortunately our managerial merry-go-round has seriously undermined the development of most of our youth products. 

2 hours ago, TheSage said:

I wonder how he would have done under someone like Pochettino (who gave Dele Alli and several other Sp*urs youngsters a chance). He's older than Alli and yet is still far away from a starter. Unfortunately our managerial merry-go-round has seriously undermined the development of most of our youth products. 

Poch didn't get Alli a chance because he's a nice person. He gave Alli a chance because he was the second best midfielder in the club.

When have we ever been able to say that about RLC? He's getting there, but he was half the player he is now when under jose and Conte. 

Just want to say RLC and Kovacic are so valuable in their positional flexibility.  When Kovacic starts and RLC comes on, basically any player that's not a defender can come off. Those are the only two that I feel that way about... though Ampadu when he hits form will add to that as well.  I don't see RLC not making the 18 again this season when fit.

Great to see Sarri having faith in RLC. Another game for him to play and he did well, could score there if he wasn't losing balance. 

Finally, I can feel that we're working on improving our academy players and giving them a real chance to feel the game.

He looked good when he came on, as is usually the case.  If he keeps playing like he's playing then sooner or later he's bound to be starting games in the league. I'm not sure where though, in Kovacic's position or in place of Willian/Pedro (right AM)? 

Three starts and two appearances off the bench in the past five games. I'm delighted he's finally getting a run in the team - I hope it continues even when the fixture list becomes less congested.

8 minutes ago, bluedave said:

He looked good when he came on, as is usually the case.  If he keeps playing like he's playing then sooner or later he's bound to be starting games in the league. I'm not sure where though, in Kovacic's position or in place of Willian/Pedro (right AM)? 

I prefer him as a sub tbh, I don't think he can maintain the intensity over 90 mins that he does when he comes on a sub.

Edited December 16, 20187 yr by the special one

Breath of fresh air tbh

Did ok and will probably get 90 mins Wednesday 

33 minutes ago, Slojo said:

Breath of fresh air tbh

Came on and you could instantly see that he had an intensity to his game that the rest of the team were lacking in the second half. It's frustrating, because if the rest of the team were at his level, then he wouldn't have had to try and force things so much on his own.

1 hour ago, Scott Harris said:

Came on and you could instantly see that he had an intensity to his game that the rest of the team were lacking in the second half. It's frustrating, because if the rest of the team were at his level, then he wouldn't have had to try and force things so much on his own.

Absolutely, I can even forgive him giving the ball away twice at the end due to him playing in an offensive position, but he was making a mockery out of their defence. Something I wish Willian would do more, he's not taking enough risks, RLC looks like he wants to create a goal every time he gets the ball. 

Excellent today, gave our attack the impetus it was lacking and again used his strength well. Should be starting.

He’s so strong holding off.  But at the same time, he is very light of foot, almost danced through their defense for a goal right after coming on.  I agree that he does seem to do better as a sub.

Should play as striker! Very strong and silky with height. 

10 hours ago, Theafonis said:

Should play as striker! Very strong and silky with height. 

Conte tried it a few times though didn't he?

14 minutes ago, Kentonio said:

Conte tried it a few times though didn't he?

Conte said that he thought he'd make a good striker, but I don't think he ever actually played him there.

3 minutes ago, DannyVblue said:

Conte said that he thought he'd make a good striker, but I don't think he ever actually played him there.

I thought he did once or twice, but it might have been pre-season games. I could be wrong though, my memory is terrible.