Joe Cole says Ruben Loftus-Cheek has been ‘outstanding’ this season and a key player under Thomas Tuchel.
The talented midfielder has had to wait for his opportunity at the club since coming through the academy having been sent out on loan to Crystal Palace and Fulham in recent seasons.
Many expected the 25-year-old to once again go out on loan this year but he opted to stay and fight for his place under Tuchel.
With injuries to the likes of Mason Mount and N’Golo Kante this season, Loftus-Cheek has stepped in and delivered plenty of memorable performances.
Former Blue Cole reckons he’s the ‘pick of the bunch’ for Chelsea right now in their quest for the Premier League title with his unexpected decision to stay at Stamford Bridge paying off.
‘He’s been outstanding,’ Cole said on Amazon Prime.
‘A lot of people raised eyebrows when he stayed there because it didn’t quite work for Ruben when he was at Fulham last year.
‘He looked disinterested and looked like he was carrying injury but he’s been outstanding.
‘He’s actually been the pick of the bunch for Chelsea. He looks fit, strong, lean.
‘That’s the demands he [Tuchel] sets. He’s gone clean slate and [said] this is what’s expected, this is the level.
‘You’re either on the train with us or you jump off and Ruben has jumped on the train and he’s driving the train at the moment.’
Loftus-Cheek played the full 90 minutes in Chelsea’s 2-1 win over Watford at Vicarage Road tonight as Mount and Hakim Ziyech bagged for the visitors.
The west London outfit remain top of the Premier League table, one point clear of Manchester City.
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