Chelsea assistant coach Gianfranco Zola has discussed how Blues youngster Ruben Loftus-Cheek has improved leaps and bounds.
“Ruben has gone a long way from the beginning of the season. He has improved a lot, especially his application on the pitch. No one ever doubted his qualities. They are easy to see. But as a midfielder he’s learning duties he didn’t have before. He had the duties but didn’t have the application. That is improving at the moment.
“I’m very pleased with him. He’s an impact player. I’m pleased for him because he’s worked hard. He was suffering when he didn’t play. To see him achieving something and being recognised, it must be very good for him.”
Chelsea’s history with academy players is not great with most youngsters leaving the club, unable to break into the first team. It would seem that RLC has broken that trend with the English star regularly involved in Sarri’s team.
Zola believes the player has the ability to improve even further and is already an impact player for the club. RLC has been impressive for the Blues this season scoring a hattrick in Europe for the team.
Whether RLC can go on to break into the first team completely now remains to be seen with Kovacic and Kante now currently occupying his ideal position.
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