There is absolutely no reason he should start against Liverpool.  So far below the level we need at the moment, and frankly, its up to him to raise his game or spend time on the bench.  I don't have the time for it - he is 24.  Barkley offers more, to which i still prefer Mount and then Havertz over Mount.  So for me he is 4th choice in the preferred position.

Frank suggested no. 10 spot could be his best position. If he was showing his no. 10 against Brighton I don't agree. He couldn't handle a single pass and his movement was dreadful. He moved way behind the rhythm of every one else. Someone like Werner or Mount sets the pace of the play. I think that is what Frank looks from his football. 

He had that one moment in the game where he was breaking with Werner and he messed the pass. 

I don't think he has that luxury with Chelsea where he just can be eased into the side playing these 4/10 performances and giving us little chance of winning. 

He looks very stiff and scared of going into situations. He just strolls there hoping he gets to make that easy sideways pass. 

He is so far from the level we saw under Sarri. He was close to being the beast we know he can be. 

Anyway it is very hard to see him starting for us in any game of importance. 

It's sad to see the kind of performances we've seen from him since the injury.

I desperately want him to succeed, but I have to agree that the way he looks right now, we simply can't afford to play him.

I'm not generally a fan of loans at his age, but surely a loan to a club where he's close to being guaranteed game time is the best for all parts?

- he gets a chance to play through any physical and mental issues which might be bothering him at the moment

- if the loan goes bad we'll bite the bullet and give up on him, thus selling him in the summer

- if it goes well, we might just get our RLC back for next season

 

Surely our squad is strong enough to deal without him, as we'll have Mount, Barkley, Havertz, Pulisic, CHO and Ziyech competing for the 3 in the 4-2-3-1 formation

Werner said yesterday he doesn't need time to adapt. He said there is no time for it. Now it is not the same as with injuries but I would love some of that attitude with Ruben as well.

Personally I feel he is mostly just afraid to go full contact in games. It looks that way anyway. In terms of physical fitness he has to be at his peak. A little behind in match fitness of course.

He is such a big guy I would love him to shove off opponents and cover the ball like he did under Sarri. He has also trained with a sprinter coach so he should be able to run better than before.

On 16/09/2020 at 13:20, evissy said:

Frank suggested no. 10 spot could be his best position. If he was showing his no. 10 against Brighton I don't agree. He couldn't handle a single pass and his movement was dreadful. He moved way behind the rhythm of every one else. Someone like Werner or Mount sets the pace of the play. I think that is what Frank looks from his football. 

He had that one moment in the game where he was breaking with Werner and he messed the pass. 

I don't think he has that luxury with Chelsea where he just can be eased into the side playing these 4/10 performances and giving us little chance of winning. 

He looks very stiff and scared of going into situations. He just strolls there hoping he gets to make that easy sideways pass. 

He is so far from the level we saw under Sarri. He was close to being the beast we know he can be. 

Anyway it is very hard to see him starting for us in any game of importance. 

I agree. He is the worst No. 10 that we have at the moment.

With his build and skill, he should play as a CM. His driving runs and ball shielding from deep is much better and more effective for the team

He shouldn't play anywhere near the pitch. If Frank puts him on a more central role we would get wrecked with his energy and nonchalant demeanor. He would be a disaster in the mid which is at least some improvement because he set the bar really low as number 10. 

Hoping he gets another start against Liverpool - a fit Ruben is one of the best players in the league. 

Really happy how Lampard defended him in the presser, the reaction of some so called fans and the media was way OTT. 

6 minutes ago, DannyVblue said:

Hoping he gets another start against Liverpool - a fit Ruben is one of the best players in the league. 

Really happy how Lampard defended him in the presser, the reaction of some so called fans and the media was way OTT. 

Isn't it clear he's not match-fit though? Certainly looked miles from it against Brighton.

I think starting him this afternoon would be a major mistake. Brighton were way to quick for him, nevermind Liverpool.

49 minutes ago, DannyVblue said:

Hoping he gets another start against Liverpool - a fit Ruben is one of the best players in the league. 

Really happy how Lampard defended him in the presser, the reaction of some so called fans and the media was way OTT. 

So called fans? 
 

You will find the majority of fans on this forum start by addressing RLC’s potential and his ability. This has never been in question and the majority also state they are desperate for him to regain his form under Sarri.

He doesn’t look fit, he doesn’t look confident and he hides too often. We can not afford passengers in the team therefore it is upto him. Blaming fans and media is just stupid. Comments are justified. 

26 minutes ago, MayosNoun! said:

So called fans? 
 

You will find the majority of fans on this forum start by addressing RLC’s potential and his ability. This has never been in question and the majority also state they are desperate for him to regain his form under Sarri.

He doesn’t look fit, he doesn’t look confident and he hides too often. We can not afford passengers in the team therefore it is upto him. Blaming fans and media is just stupid. Comments are justified. 

Leave it out, it's been one game. Some of the comments are totally not justified. If you're going allow Havertz time (which we obviously should) despite having no injury and having played the whole of last season, you need to allow the same for Ruben. 

Looks like another loan move on the cards for RLC, with Villa, Southampton and West Ham all linked.

Sadly, looks like he may join the list of academy players who won't make it at CFC.

On 20/09/2020 at 12:12, DannyVblue said:

Leave it out, it's been one game. Some of the comments are totally not justified. If you're going allow Havertz time (which we obviously should) despite having no injury and having played the whole of last season, you need to allow the same for Ruben. 

It’s been one game? Good grief you’re clueless. 
 

How many seasons do you give him? He’s not some 18 year old with a few games under his belt. He needs to start performing or he will find himself out on loan from now on until he eventually ends up at Crystal Palace. 

On 20/09/2020 at 19:12, DannyVblue said:

Leave it out, it's been one game. Some of the comments are totally not justified. If you're going allow Havertz time (which we obviously should) despite having no injury and having played the whole of last season, you need to allow the same for Ruben. 

1 game? He's been given a chance every single time he is judged to be fit.

Every time our physio declares him fit, Frank basically puts his name in first. Then, he underperforms so Frank then has to put him back on the bench again.

 

RLC when Frank tells him he will play:

 

I forgot Zouma had the same injury until reading an article yesterday about him. I think it was Steve Holland who said it takes a good 2 years to fully recover and it was Zouma’s loan to Stoke (lots of playing time) and general attitude to getting his career back on track (fantastically positive) that helped him. 

Maybe a loan for him and Callum with a guarantee of playing time. is the best thing?

Frank said yesterday that Ruben could go out on loan so he can play regularly. He said he’s completely fit as well. 
 

I think at this point, it’s probably worth him getting playing time. He’s not going to play much and he’s down the pecking order. Real shame. I like Ruben and he was great for us under Sarri but it really doesn’t look like it’s going to happen for him. I do wonder whether we should reluctantly accept a decent bid for him. 

12 minutes ago, JM7 said:

Frank said yesterday that Ruben could go out on loan so he can play regularly. He said he’s completely fit as well. 
 

I think at this point, it’s probably worth him getting playing time. He’s not going to play much and he’s down the pecking order. Real shame. I like Ruben and he was great for us under Sarri but it really doesn’t look like it’s going to happen for him. I do wonder whether we should reluctantly accept a decent bid for him. 

Listen At the Bridge pod. They have an episode of Ruben and the injury. Never knew the injury he suffered is as severe as it was. It is a physical and psychological battle with Ruben. He just needs to play to and hopefully he regains his confidence.. 

1 hour ago, evissy said:

Listen At the Bridge pod. They have an episode of Ruben and the injury. Never knew the injury he suffered is as severe as it was. It is a physical and psychological battle with Ruben. He just needs to play to and hopefully he regains his confidence.. 

He lost half his calfs muscle mass, that takes a lot of coming back from.

I can't see him making it here any more. There was a period under Sarri when I thought he could, but coming back from an injury like he had, coupled with us having lots of midfielders already and him not really specialising at any particular role, casts major doubt over his future. 

Proved people wrong two seasons ago, people who said he’d never be good enough, if he gets back to his best he’s absolutely better than Barkley and Kovacic imo. If he’s going on loan hope he does rediscover his best form, going to be a lot of teams sniffing round him though and wouldn’t be surprised if he was sold. 

Edited September 29, 20205 yr by Floyd25

I think loan is a perfect solution. Frank already gave him all the chances we can in terms of not doing harm to our results. Against Brighton he looked so slow, bad and scared we can't play that type of player. 

Crystal Palace would be great for him. 

If we’re loaning both him and Barkley, that definitely leaves us short of goal scoring midfield players, sure we can drop Ziyech in to midfield but we need a winger now for sure, be interesting to see if we sign one. 

27 minutes ago, Floyd25 said:

If we’re loaning both him and Barkley, that definitely leaves us short of goal scoring midfield players, sure we can drop Ziyech in to midfield but we need a winger now for sure, be interesting to see if we sign one. 

I imagine the idea is 6 for 3 positions.

Jorginho or Gilmour

Kante or Kovacic

Havertz or Mount.

 

Leaves us ample. 

 

RLC needs games, week in week out to salvage his career. Either to get back to our level or earn a transfer. Let him go on loan imo.

56 minutes ago, axman2526 said:

I imagine the idea is 6 for 3 positions.

Jorginho or Gilmour

Kante or Kovacic

Havertz or Mount.

 

Leaves us ample. 

 

RLC needs games, week in week out to salvage his career. Either to get back to our level or earn a transfer. Let him go on loan imo.

Fair point, I agree we have enough in midfield even with RLC on loan, but my point remains about brining in a natural winger, because I doubt either of Moses or Musonda are taking the 4th spot, don’t like Werner and Havertz playing out wide. I’d maybe loan out Jorginho/Gilmour if we bring Rice in as we are crying out for a DM imo. 

10 minutes ago, Floyd25 said:

Fair point, I agree we have enough in midfield even with RLC on loan, but my point remains about brining in a natural winger, because I doubt either of Moses or Musonda are taking the 4th spot, don’t like Werner and Havertz playing out wide. I’d maybe loan out Jorginho/Gilmour if we bring Rice in as we are crying out for a DM imo. 

Gilmour on loan in the case of the very doubtful signing of Rice for me.

Far as another wide man goes it is a good idea. Pulisic is injury prone. Though maybe Tino Anjorin could be the answer there.