Ruben Loftus-Cheek: England star is finally getting recognition he deserves at Chelsea – can he be the next Frank Lampard?

Ruben Loftus-Cheek: England star is finally getting recognition he deserves at Chelsea – can he be the next Frank Lampard?
Ruben Loftus-Cheek scored against Brighton on Wednesday to follow up from his goal against Cardiff.It was in another promising showing that has Chelsea fans clamouring for his inclusion on a permanent basis all season.5

Loftus-Cheek celebrates against Brighton

His eight goals is the most from any midfielder at the club this campaign.Despite his obvious talents, Maurizio Sarri has remained frustratingly stubborn in his handling of the England international, but has that finally changed?Not since Frank Lampard called time on his illustrious Chelsea career, have the Blues had a genuine threat from midfield but, given time, Loftus-Cheek might very well be that man.

---

After all the cigarettes had been chewed, Sarri must have given his fingernails some serious consideration.Chelsea were being held by Cardiff and the match was in stoppage-time. Hopes of a top four finish were fading by the second, the fans who travelled down to Wales had lost patience long before, they made that perfectly clear and not for the first time this season.In the 91st minute, Loftus-Cheek powered a header over the line, Chelsea had won, only just, and Sarri had been redeemed.It was not the first time he had done this, coming off the bench to score previously against Burnley and Fulham, this was a man who knew how to seize his opportunities, no matter how limited they may be.5

Loftus-Cheek spared Sarri’s blushes on Sunday

Football is filled with salvation from the most unlikeliest of sources. Think Lilian Thuram for France in the 1998 World Cup semi-final against Croatia or Portugal’s Eder in the Euro 2016 final.For Chelsea however, it should have been more obvious, it had been to everyone else and for quite some time.On Wednesday night, Loftus-Cheek was on target once more, against Brighton, he opened up his body and curled his strike into the bottom corner to put the result beyond doubt. In truth, Chelsea were never in danger of losing, there was not much danger of anything.Loftus-Cheek has started only twice, playing just 564 minutes in total, compare that to fellow countryman Ross Barkley who has 12 starts with 3 goals and the calls for the aforementioned to feature on a more regular basis would appear more than reasonable.5

The midfielder has impressed for Chelsea whenever he has been given the chance

One of the games most promising talents, it felt as if Loftus-Cheek, still only 23, would not get the chance to prove himself at Chelsea, his career drifting towards a series of loans, keeping him on board to appease the FA and their homegrown initiative.Despite talk of a move away last summer and January just gone, a possible return to Crystal Palace, Loftus-Cheek’s professionalism has been admirable.Criticism from Sarri, even after a hat-trick in the Europa League, has never been followed with any petulance or late night platitudes on social media. He has been with the club since he was eight, it is obvious what Chelsea’s means to him.5

Chelsea have not had a true goal scoring threat from midfield since the days of Lampard

Acclimatising to life in the Premier League is unmerciful, the glare constant. At Chelsea, it is even more intense, every game carries expectancy from a title challenge, to a European tie.For a midfielder, especially in recent years, contending with the weight of Lampard’s No.8 shirt and the sizeable void he left, only adds to the burden.But in Loftus-Cheek, Chelsea have a man capable of progressively filling that gap and of course with time he will get better, which in itself is a frightening prospect.In Lampard’s first season for Chelsea, there was five league goals, followed by six. His third year at Stamford Bridge would begin a decade-long run of reaching double figures, bringing with it three Premier League winner’s medals and ending with him as their all-time record scorer.There is some way to go before Loftus-Cheek can match any of those feats, but the early signs are promising.5

Loftus-Cheek has the talent and ability to be a Chelsea mainstay

While Lampard worked hard on his talent, endless drills on the training ground, complete dedication, Loftus-Cheek was born with it, a natural.To watch him play in the flesh is impressive. Loftus-Cheek, at 6ft 4, is like a human-spider hybrid, all limbs and power capable of breaking forward in purposeful strides, all whilst leaving his marker, literally, and confused as to how he has lost out on the ball despite having a five-yard head start.The season may only have six matches remaining, but the penny may finally have dropped for Sarri and the Loftus-Cheek conundrum.Better late than never or so they say and worryingly for a long while it appeared as if it would be too late.

---

May 12, 2019 · With the League Cup and Premier League title already secured, Man City will now be the first English team to ever complete a domestic treble if they beat Watford in the FA Cup final next Saturday
Premier League Table: 2019 Standings, Week 37 Fixtures After

---

'Sarri's a stubborn fool' - Some Chelsea fans fume as Hudson-Odoi is benched again 'stubborn fool' Hudson-Odoi has not started a single Premier League match this season while Loftus-Cheek has only

---

Rangers produced a dominant display in Saturday's Old Firm derby to end 2018 level on points with Celtic at the top of the Scottish Premiership. Brendan Rodgers had not lost in 12 matches against Rangers but saw that run come to an end at Ibrox at the hands of his former Liverpool captain Steven
Rangers beating Celtic in Old Firm highlights Steven Gerrard

---

Charlton Athletic EXCLUSIVE: Steve Gallen eyes 'unbelievable' promotion, backs Lee Bowyer for the top and more The League One side's head of recruitment sat down with talkSPORT.com to discuss
Charlton Athletic EXCLUSIVE: Steve Gallen eyes 'unbelievable

---

#BreakingNews #Football #Sport #SportNews #GiveMeFootball Tony Pulis responds to Dave Kitson's claim that he played a part in Aaron Ramsey's leg break : By GiveMe - Football Dave Kitson caused a
Tony Pulis accused as Stoke City old boy recalls the night

---

Kolkata, March 28: Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud is desperately struggling to sort out his Chelsea future because of the club's transfer ban. The France striker is out of contract at the end of the season after a disappointing campaign where he has started just six Premier League games.
Chelsea striker Giroud admits he was annoyed by Higuain signing

---

Rangers flop Ovie Ejaria set to join Reading after cutting short Ibrox loan. RANGERS flop Ovie Ejaria is closing in on a loan move to Reading. Keep u p to date with ALL the latest news and
Rangers round-up: Ejaria to join Reading, Davis signs and

---

How Fikayo Tomori and Mason Mount are looking to put Derby County Wembley heartbreak behind them. The on-loan Chelsea duo are in the England U21 squad for the upcoming European Championship finals
Media Watch: Frank Lampard wants more from hat-trick hero

---

Transfer news and football gossip: Liverpool join race for Ajax star, Man United target Paulo Dybala, former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger rejects English job Plus, Solskjaer puts United striker on
Tottenham Hotspur Transfer News - Football.London

---

Manchester City and Liverpool continued their preparations for the new Premier League season with a lively 2-2 draw at the Yankee Stadium in New York. Manchester City vs Liverpool match report: Simon Mignolet the penalty hero as Reds win on spot-kicks | The Independent
Liverpool 3-0 Manchester City RECAP as Reds run riot in

---

Burley: I would leave for Bayern if I was Hudson-Odoi (1:17) Former Chelsea midfielder Craig Burley says if he was Callum Hudson-Odoi, he would take the chance and go to Bayern Munich if they want
Maurizio Sarri hits out at Bayern Munich over pursuit of

---

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp hailed his side as "mentality giants" after producing one of the most stunning comebacks in Champions League history to beat Barcelona 4-0 and progress to the final
Champions League final: Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp's finals

---