- 22 hours ago
Why sell me? Ruben Loftus-Cheek outscoring ALMOST every Chelsea player
Carlo Garganese
- Updated: 2 Apr 2024 10:27 BST
- 4 min read
Ruben Loftus-Cheek has been one of the standout players in Europe this calendar year.
In 2024, the 28-year-old incredibly has already scored nine goals in all competitions for AC Milan.
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As well as being a massive goal threat, Loftus-Cheek has impressed with his progressive ball-carrying, his ability to withstand physical challenges and his link-up with teammates - especially Christian Pulisic and Rafael Leao.
Signed by Milan’s former transfer chief Paolo Maldini, Loftus-Cheek has proved to be a massive fit after overcoming a few fitness hurdles earlier in the campaign.
The Rossoneri, who paid Chelsea €16 million plus €4m in bonuses last summer, are absolutely delighted with his performances.
He has the respect of all his squad, with teammate Theo Hernandez memorably questioning Pioli why he was substituting such an influential player when he took off Loftus-Cheek in a game.
Chelsea will be watching on and wondering whether they made a mistake selling Loftus-Cheek.
Only one player at Chelsea has more open play goals this season than Loftus-Cheek. That is striker Nicolas Jackson with 12 goals.
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Cole Palmer also has more goals in total - 13 in Premier League and 16 in all competitions - but six of these were penalties. So in open play, Palmer has the same number as Loftus-Cheek.
Chelsea have endured a disastrous season and are 11th in the Premier League.
One of the biggest reasons for their struggles has been a lack of firepower and goals in attack.
The Blues are the joint-eighth highest scorers in the Premier League, showing that Loftus-Cheek’s goals could have come in very handy.
Loftus-Cheek at Chelsea
The midfielder joined Chelsea at the age of eight and worked his way through the youth system before making his senior debut in December 2014.
Loftus-Cheek soon became regarded as one of the most exciting youngsters not only at Chelsea but in all of English and European football.
Blessed with a unique blend of technique and physique, Loftus-Cheek was compared to Paul Pogba.
However, a serious injury at the end of the 2018-19 season in a friendly in the United States had a devastating impact on the player’s career.
He barely kicked a ball in the following two seasons, and never really got his Chelsea career back on track before being sold to Milan in the summer of 2022.
Chelsea may now be regretting that decision.
