RLC is an attacking midfielder for me, blessed with skill though injury prone.

Last season his runs through the opposition midfield gave players like Hazard more space. The EPL did start to wise up on him by putting two players on him to stop him muscling through their defence and being a big lad does not always get the benefit of the ref's interpretation. 

I think Lampard will have some thinking to do on Loftus Cheeks return on whether to play RLC deep in a midfield 3 or play him in the advanced No.10 role. Quite recently I've seen a number of posters put RLC in the advanced role and I dont think that is where we optimize the strengths he brings to the table.

I would personally revert to a 4-3-3 formation and play RLC alongside Kante & Jorginho in Midfield. Iam sure he can do a decent enough job for us in the Number 10 role as he clearly has the technical ability to work with less space however I think he is at his best when he receives the ball deep and he drives the team forward creating space for the front 3.

The question for Frank would be whether he sticks to his preferred 4-2-3-1 or reverts to a Sarri style 4-3-3 which got the best out of RLC.

4 minutes ago, Imran_CFC said:

I think Lampard will have some thinking to do on Loftus Cheeks return on whether to play RLC deep in a midfield 3 or play him in the advanced No.10 role. Quite recently I've seen a number of posters put RLC in the advanced role and I dont think that is where we optimize the strengths he brings to the table.

I would personally revert to a 4-3-3 formation and play RLC alongside Kante & Jorginho in Midfield. Iam sure he can do a decent enough job for us in the Number 10 role as he clearly has the technical ability to work with less space however I think he is at his best when he receives the ball deep and he drives the team forward creating space for the front 3.

The question for Frank would be whether he sticks to his preferred 4-2-3-1 or reverts to a Sarri style 4-3-3 which got the best out of RLC.

I see RLC competing with Mount though could see the Kovacic competition too. TBH don't see it as a big dilemma as RLC is normally out injured after about 8 matches.

Don’t forget he did very well for Palace playing in an advanced wide position (like Mount currently). Lots of options for him to get back in to the first XI. 

1 hour ago, Strider6003 said:

I see RLC competing with Mount though could see the Kovacic competition too. TBH don't see it as a big dilemma as RLC is normally out injured after about 8 matches.

Oh god  

7 hours ago, Imran_CFC said:

I think Lampard will have some thinking to do on Loftus Cheeks return on whether to play RLC deep in a midfield 3 or play him in the advanced No.10 role. Quite recently I've seen a number of posters put RLC in the advanced role and I dont think that is where we optimize the strengths he brings to the table.

I would personally revert to a 4-3-3 formation and play RLC alongside Kante & Jorginho in Midfield. Iam sure he can do a decent enough job for us in the Number 10 role as he clearly has the technical ability to work with less space however I think he is at his best when he receives the ball deep and he drives the team forward creating space for the front 3.

The question for Frank would be whether he sticks to his preferred 4-2-3-1 or reverts to a Sarri style 4-3-3 which got the best out of RLC.

Spot on mate. Absolutely do not want to see Ruben playing behind the striker/as a #10. I've seen some stats that showed hes the best ball carrier in the entire league which doesnt surprise me one bit. The only other player who I've seen drive the ball forward better than him in recent years, with the pace and physicality that he does, is Yaya Toure. And I dont think I'm exaggerating this one bit. 

I'd go as far to say that right now hes the most talented out of all our young talents. To be fair to the others, he is a couple years older than them.

Kovacic is the midfield forward driver right now, and is forming a great partnership with Jorginho and potentially Kante. But Kovacic doesn't score goals and RLC does. On the other hand I have always questioned RLC's defensive work. A good problem to have.

Kovacic is the midfield forward driver right now, and is forming a great partnership with Jorginho and potentially Kante. But Kovacic doesn't score goals and RLC does. On the other hand I have always questioned RLC's defensive work. A good problem to have.

This is the crucial difference. Ruben adds goals. That is why he is so much more important as a player. We need our midfielders to contribute to goals.

9 hours ago, ozboy said:

Kovacic is the midfield forward driver right now, and is forming a great partnership with Jorginho and potentially Kante. But Kovacic doesn't score goals and RLC does. On the other hand I have always questioned RLC's defensive work. A good problem to have.

Kovacic has much more speed around the park and feeds the front runners.

Don't see RLC having that movement he normally uses his body strength and good feet goes through the middle.

Of course with a fit Kante in MF it might not be an issue and just a different set up for when we look stale as RLC always looks to make something happen.

25 minutes ago, Strider6003 said:

Kovacic has much more speed around the park and feeds the front runners.

Don't see RLC having that movement he normally uses his body strength and good feet goes through the middle.

Of course with a fit Kante in MF it might not be an issue and just a different set up for when we look stale as RLC always looks to make something happen.

And to think we could have had Bakayoko and Drinkwater running our midfield!!!!

Anyone know when he is expected back??

Once fit he starts he's an unbelievable athlete just bosses the midfield

8 hours ago, Shweaves said:

Anyone know when he is expected back??

Frank said today he’s started light running outside this week so he’s getting there but it’s still a while off. 

Ramen Loftus-Cheek

Edited September 27, 20196 yr by Amputechture

1 hour ago, Amputechture said:

Ramen Loftus-Cheek

Wait wait wait...is that real?

How to fit him, Mount, Kante and Jorginho in to the same team...hmm

 

Kepa

 

Azpi

Rudiger

Tomori

 

James

Kante

Jorginho

Alonso

 

RLC

Abraham

Mount

 

Then that leaves CHO out...hmm

 

Kepa

 

James

Rudiger

Tomori

Azpi

 

Kante

Jorginho

 

CHO

RLC

Mount

 

Abraham

 

Better...maybe lol

Any updates on him?

Any updates on him?

I think Frank said something in the lines of "it is a matter of weeks or I suppose months, but he started working on the pitch so it is a step forward". So I guess if it is October we can expect January for his return at earliest.

Ramen Loftus-Cheek

Will the real slim shady please stand up?

Any updates on his recovery?

On 01/11/2019 at 12:50, Amputechture said:

Any updates on his recovery?

Still a long way away apparently.

RLC will make us click so much more.

The best midfield lineup that we still didn't see:

        Jorghinho Kante

Willian/Mount  RLC  Pulisic/CHO

 

Really hope he'll make a full recovery. He got a really nasty injury and have had a few set-backs in his recovery too. But fingers crossed.

Still a bit pissed at Sarri for risking him on that pitch in a pointless friendly.

Would've been a perfect time for him to come back.