Ruben Loftus-Cheek might return to Chelsea at the end of his loan spell at Fulham based on the glowing comments the coach of the club, Thomas Tuchel showered on him ahead of the club’s league match against Fulham.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek has been a Chelsea product from childhood but has not been able to establish himself at the club. Due to that, he left the club on July 12, 2017, to join Crystal Palace on a season-long loan spell.
Afterward, he returned to Chelsea but still could not establish himself at the club. The situation continued under coach Frank Lampard and the 25-year-old English center-midfielder had to go on loan again on October 5, 2020. This time around, he joined Fulham.
Since he decided to join Fulham, the former England youth international has been playing regular football, a luxury he could not get at Chelsea. So far this season, Ruben Loftus-Cheek has played 28 Premier League games in which he scored a goal for Fulham.
Later today, May 1, 2021, Ruben Loftus-Cheek could face his parent club, Chelsea, when Fulham visit Stamford Bridge to play their 34th Premier League game of the season.
The match is very important for both teams. Chelsea need to win to remain in the top four and further cement their chance of qualifying for next season’s Champions League. The club is currently sitting on the 4th spot with 58th points in 33 games, a point above 5th Placed West Ham United, and two points above 6th placed Liverpool.
On the other hand, Fulham are deep into the relegation zone and need to win every league game to brighten their chance of making it out of the relegation waters. The club is currently sitting on the 18th spot with 27 points in 33 games, 7 points away from safety.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek is one of the players Fulham would depend on to turn things around starting with Chelsea later today. And Chelsea’s coach, Tuchel took some time out to acknowledge the improvement in Loftus-Cheek’s game.
While acknowledging how the 25-year-old has improved since he went on loan at Fulham, the German tactician compared the English footballer to Michael Ballack, one of the golden players of Chelsea and Germany national team.
Tuchel said: “He (Ruben Loftus-Cheek) reminded me of Michael Ballack in his style of play, his movements. There were links with him moving to Germany. We are well aware of his talent.
“I don’t know why things have not worked out as he wished but now he is doing good, leaving his footprints there [at Fulham] – I cannot judge him from TV and hearsay, I love to work with players then to give my opinion.
“No decision has been made [on his future] just yet.”
The contract between Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Chelsea will expire in 2024 which means that the English footballer might not follow Fulham down to the second division if the club is relegated. It is however left to see what Chelsea would decide to do with him at the end of his season-long loan spell at Fulham.
