10 hours ago, Argo said:

The part I agree on is the pitch, the freindly however was needed. Two and a half weeks is too long to go without a competitive match before a final, infact I think the fact we played a prep match was the reason we were much sharper than Arsenal in the second half.

Playing a friendly was fine, but playing a friendly in America so soon after our league campaign ended was absurd and shows a lack of care for the players physical condition. Arsenal played a friendly too if I remember correctly, but it was behind closed doors.

Our friendly should have been played at home and the charity game in America should have been arranged for the next pre season.

3 hours ago, Scott Harris said:

Playing a friendly was fine, but playing a friendly in America so soon after our league campaign ended was absurd and shows a lack of care for the players physical condition. Arsenal played a friendly too if I remember correctly, but it was behind closed doors.

Our friendly should have been played at home and the charity game in America should have been arranged for the next pre season.

Im not sure how the bolded bit would matter?

2 hours ago, dkw said:

Im not sure how the bolded bit would matter?

Mainly that they controlled the conditions 

2 hours ago, bisright1 said:

Mainly that they controlled the conditions 

But there's still a chance a player could get injured, no matter where, when or how a game of football is played. 

39 minutes ago, dkw said:

But there's still a chance a player could get injured, no matter where, when or how a game of football is played. 

Of course, but on that pitch surely the chance was increased. After flying across the Atlantic, surely the chance was increased. 

1 hour ago, bisright1 said:

Of course, but on that pitch surely the chance was increased. After flying across the Atlantic, surely the chance was increased. 

Why would a flight a few days earlier affect them? Its not like they flew cattle class. 

I just don't understand how we can complain about a player getting injured playing football, it's what they do. They get injured training often enough too. It happens, he/we were unlucky but that's just what it was, unlucky. 

14 hours ago, dkw said:

Why would a flight a few days earlier affect them? Its not like they flew cattle class. 

I just don't understand how we can complain about a player getting injured playing football, it's what they do. They get injured training often enough too. It happens, he/we were unlucky but that's just what it was, unlucky. 

I sympathise with your view, I tend to agree. I'm just pointing out that if we are going to play the percentages we shouldn't be taking our squad on a 6 hour flight and playing on a pitch that is barely even league 2 quality let alone premier league.

An injury was bound to happen, not necessarily one that leads to someone out for 6 months+ but very very likely one where they missed the final. It was poor planning 

What’s the latest? Will he play a game next month?

 

A complete player. Can't wait to have him back.

When o when is RLC due back. We badly miss him.

Haven't heard an update in a while. My guess would be back training with the 1st team this month and available for selection in Feb.

2 hours ago, DannyVblue said:

Haven't heard an update in a while. My guess would be back training with the 1st team this month and available for selection in Feb.

We have four big concurrent fixtures due in Feb so that could be useful.

If only you could stay fit Ruben, you would be taking Hazard's place as our talisman...

Last season it felt that he was close to being one of the first names on the team sheet. He was an important player for us. 

4 minutes ago, JM7 said:

Last season it felt that he was close to being one of the first names on the team sheet. He was an important player for us. 

Absolutely. Losing him AND Hazard this season has been a huge hit.

Edited January 2, 20206 yr by axman2526

Don’t want to sound negative but I’m not sure of he’ll ever be the same player after his injury... 

2 minutes ago, ekimozturk said:

Don’t want to sound negative but I’m not sure of he’ll ever be the same player after his injury... 

That would be a great shame.

Just found this video from 2 weeks ago, seems like Ruben could be in the mix very soon!

 

7 hours ago, ekimozturk said:

Don’t want to sound negative but I’m not sure of he’ll ever be the same player after his injury... 

Sometimes these kind of injuries makes you even stronger and better, because the recovery is much longer and better for the player. I really hope we will get even a better Loftus-Cheek.

He needs a strong mentality, faith and confidence. With all that we've got an important player here.

What I worry about is it’s a difficult injury to come back from and hit the ground running as seen with CHO since he’s come back.

One of the first names on the team sheet when fully fit and healthy, Rolls Royce player just a shame injuries look like they will plague his career here.

He looks pretty good in the clip he posted mid December. However it is unclear whether he has been involved in any training with the first team yet, especially anything that involves physical contact. I suspect he will be brought back slowly to reduce the chance of him picking up further injuries in his comeback. As a result I am not expecting to see too much of him over the next couple of months, if at all. I think the aim is to get him fully fit for the start of next season.

I think people are expecting more from RLC than we should and remember him being a whole lot better than he really was for us. 
I really like RLC and there are times that he can look world class but he rarely dominates games and those thinking that he can be a Chelsea season saviour, I fear could be greatly disappointed.

I think people are expecting more from RLC than we should and remember him being a whole lot better than he really was for us. 
I really like RLC and there are times that he can look world class but he rarely dominates games and those thinking that he can be a Chelsea season saviour, I fear could be greatly disappointed.

With you on that Goose. I see him as a good squad player who will serve us well and occasionally do good things. I don't see him as someone who will bring about a regular and material improvement to the way we play. He is a bit like the attacking version of Mikel. Reliable and committed but rarely outstanding.

28 minutes ago, loz said:

34 minutes ago, goose said:

I think people are expecting more from RLC than we should and remember him being a whole lot better than he really was for us. 
I really like RLC and there are times that he can look world class but he rarely dominates games and those thinking that he can be a Chelsea season saviour, I fear could be greatly disappointed.

With you on that Goose. I see him as a good squad player who will serve us well and occasionally do good things. I don't see him as someone who will bring about a regular and material improvement to the way we play. He is a bit like the attacking version of Mikel. Reliable and committed but rarely outstanding.

One of the good things he does though is drive forward every time he gets the ball, Kovacic is looking to do the same.  I think RLC and Kovacic will share that role for a while.  I think Kante should revert back to his former position as a holding defensive midfielder and allow RLC in the team to play a similar role to what Kante is playing now which is just in front of the midfield area.  I would like to see him back as quick as we can TBH, we lack some steel in the middle and he'll bring some of that too.

58 minutes ago, goose said:

I think people are expecting more from RLC than we should and remember him being a whole lot better than he really was for us. 
I really like RLC and there are times that he can look world class but he rarely dominates games and those thinking that he can be a Chelsea season saviour, I fear could be greatly disappointed.

He was proving to be a valuable first team player under Sarri, his performances were getting better and better each game, on the arc he was on, he would have improved even more this season. I dont think anyone is expecting him to come back and be our saviour, but if he could manage to get back to where he left off and continue on that arc of improvement, who knows. he certainly could become World class, especially under a player who was World class in the same position.