Oh what I’d do for him right now, the Loftus Cheek we saw before injury. Really could do with physicality in midfield.

32 minutes ago, dansubrosa said:

Oh what I’d do for him right now, the Loftus Cheek we saw before injury. Really could do with physicality in midfield.

Yeah sadly I think that last injury really did a number on him. A real shame as he was looking such a threat from midfield with his ability to drive forward with the ball and physical presence. 

We lost most likely our best academy player since JT because of injuries.

1 hour ago, dansubrosa said:

Oh what I’d do for him right now, the Loftus Cheek we saw before injury. Really could do with physicality in midfield.

It's so frustrating because he's everything we need at the moment in our team.

I don't think he was ever going to make it here, injury or not. He had the odd game where he looked good, bursting through the midfield, linking up really well, but I've never been convinced of his workrate, his positioning, or his overall game. He's not a goal scorer, he's not a defensive midfielder. It's never been clear to me what he actually..does.

55 minutes ago, Zeta said:

I don't think he was ever going to make it here, injury or not. He had the odd game where he looked good, bursting through the midfield, linking up really well, but I've never been convinced of his workrate, his positioning, or his overall game. He's not a goal scorer, he's not a defensive midfielder. It's never been clear to me what he actually..does.

Well summed up. 

Sad but accurate.

1 hour ago, Zeta said:

I don't think he was ever going to make it here, injury or not. He had the odd game where he looked good, bursting through the midfield, linking up really well, but I've never been convinced of his workrate, his positioning, or his overall game. He's not a goal scorer, he's not a defensive midfielder. It's never been clear to me what he actually..does.

I actually thought he was a decent attacking midfielder, he scored 6 goals under Sarri and had 6 games where he started and 18 sub appearances.

I do agree about his work rate and that he never nailed down a position though think that my have been due to his injury issue.

 

2 hours ago, Zeta said:

I don't think he was ever going to make it here, injury or not. He had the odd game where he looked good, bursting through the midfield, linking up really well, but I've never been convinced of his workrate, his positioning, or his overall game. He's not a goal scorer, he's not a defensive midfielder. It's never been clear to me what he actually..does.

I disagree, his formative years were badly broken up with his Injuries, he never had the chance to develop those parts of his game as he simply never had the physical fitness and sharpness required, his chronic back injury was horrendous by all accounts, he's had to control it since he was 17, all while his body developed,  that must have been hard.

In my opinion if he hasn't had these injury problems then I truly believe he would have been an absolute revelation and a guaranteed first teamer.

1 hour ago, dkw said:

I disagree, his formative years were badly broken up with his Injuries, he never had the chance to develop those parts of his game as he simply never had the physical fitness and sharpness required, his chronic back injury was horrendous by all accounts, he's had to control it since he was 17, all while his body developed,  that must have been hard.

In my opinion if he hasn't had these injury problems then I truly believe he would have been an absolute revelation and a guaranteed first teamer.

100 % this. Sadly his body let him down. He could have been a really special player.

He seems much better than the first game with us against Brighton, he's more confident and with better players around him I believe he could put more through balls for an assist/goal.

He created two chances, he was very close to score with a decent kick. He's very active in the middle of the pitch, I didn't see a Spurs player gets a tackle on him or wins the ball from him.

There is still 45 minutes to play, but I'm very happy with this performance so far. He has to defend with more aggression and be more tactically disciplined when the opponent has the ball.  These are the negative things I saw in him in the game.

Edited January 13, 20215 yr by IliyaKrostin

15 minutes ago, IliyaKrostin said:

He seems much better than the first game with us against Brighton, he's more confident and with better players around him I believe he could put more through balls for an assist/goal.

He created two chances, he was very close to score with a decent kick. He's very active in the middle of the pitch, I didn't see a Spurs player gets a tackle on him or wins the ball from him.

There is still 45 minutes to play, but I'm very happy with this performance so far. He has to defend with more aggression and be more tactically disciplined when the opponent has the ball.  These are the negative things I saw in him in the game.

I think he will improve with more playing time. He seems to be getting decent minutes with Fulham and the quality of his play, along with his confidence, is improving. Hopefully he could yet stake a claim for a regular place in the squad at Chelsea when he returns.

There is a silky smoothness about RLC of late that has been missing since his injury. Great loan move for him. Hope to see his recovery continue to improve.  

Edited January 13, 20215 yr by ross91690

Very good performance by RLC tonight.

He had a good opportunity to score but missed a chance, he was little heavy in his run. But his passing and movement were great today, if he can keep his form in this way, then he definitely has a place in our squad for the next season.

I would never give up on our own player, always will believe in RLC!

Yeah he has looked good tonight, better than whatever we’ve seen this season.

Fingers crossed he keeps it up and turns into Fulham’s best player.

16 hours ago, IliyaKrostin said:

Very good performance by RLC tonight.

He had a good opportunity to score but missed a chance, he was little heavy in his run. But his passing and movement were great today, if he can keep his form in this way, then he definitely has a place in our squad for the next season.

I would never give up on our own player, always will believe in RLC!

If Fulham stay up honestly in would think is a good idea he stays there for another season. Ig he can get through 2 seasons with no major injuries and regain form and fitness then he could well return to our side.

Another great performance tonight, caused Man Utd problems.

Hes really finding his form back which is fantastic to see.

Heard talk of fairytales in the Lampard thread. For me it would be a real fairytale if RLC could finally stay healthy and live up to the promise he has and come back and lead our side.

Cause for me he has all the tools to be a really superb attacking midfielder.

RLC said Sarri is the best manager he’s worked under. No wonder he had his best spell under him. 

I would say recall but I wouldn't want to hinder his development. If he's doing well at Fulham, leave him there. Could be our only chance to actually get that promising player out of RLC. 

1 hour ago, JM7 said:

RLC said Sarri is the best manager he’s worked under. No wonder he had his best spell under him. 

If I speak...

Happy Birthday to him . 25 years old today.

There’s an article on The Athletic where he talks about his struggles to come back from the injury, he had big problems getting his calf working as it should etc. 
 

He also said he wasn’t mentally match fit for the first game of the season after being out so long, he struggle to read the game and get the basics right. 
 

I think the article mentioned (as opposed to RLC himself) that Scott Parker was willing to give him more leeway to play himself back into physical and mental fitness which is why Fulham was a good move for him. 
 

The same move did Wayne Bridge the world of good coming back from his horrific injury years ago!

I wonder what Sarri said to him that made him progress so well. RLC said he was honest with him - I’m sure other managers were honest but he managed him in a way that got the best out of him. 

Even though it’s only been one game but I saw similarities in gameplay to Sarri, and Loftus Cheek really thrived.

Makes me wonder if he will thrive under Tuchel too?

Just watched the first half of the Fulham v West ham match and seen the same old RLC unfortunately.  Drifting through the game on the fringes of it, not imposing himself at all, not using his physicality, not demanding the ball and taking the easy passes constantly.  I wish he would get fired up and drive with the ball, put himself in the game and take the opposition on. Its so frustrating to watch.

1 hour ago, dkw said:

Just watched the first half of the Fulham v West ham match and seen the same old RLC unfortunately.  Drifting through the game on the fringes of it, not imposing himself at all, not using his physicality, not demanding the ball and taking the easy passes constantly.  I wish he would get fired up and drive with the ball, put himself in the game and take the opposition on. Its so frustrating to watch.

Yes and playing the same position as Barkley, the latter looks far more productive just now.