A transfer mistake? Chelsea outcast earns rave reviews after bossing Mbappe

Updated: 8 Nov 2023 17:27 GMT
3 min read

Mauricio Pochettino, Chelsea, 2023/24, warning border — © ProShots

Chelsea 2.0 - AC Milan - beat PSG in the Champions League and Ruben Loftus-Cheek stole the show.

Stefano Pioli's men had been struggling for form in recent weeks, failing to win their previous four games, but they looked like a team possessed in front of a raucous crowd at the San Siro as they squared up with PSG, who had put them to the sword 3-0 in October.

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A team stacked with former Chelsea players, one former Blue stood out in particular for the brilliant Rossoneri: Ruben Loftus-Cheek. The Cobham graduate put in a stunning display that earned rave reviews from Chelsea and Milan fans alike, with even the French press not withholding their praise and admiration while at the same time slaughtering Kylian Mbappe and his team.

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It was ironic that Loftus-Cheek, Chelsea's great nearly-man who was finally offloaded in the summer, dominated a player the Blues had been desperate to sign for a time in the previous transfer window. PSG's Manuel Ugarte was a wanted man in the summer, but Chelsea fans on social media expressed their relief that they had ultimately missed out on the midfielder after he was dominated by Loftus-Cheek.

© ProShots - Chelsea outcasts Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Christian Pulisic

Will Chelsea regret letting him leave?

"Ruben Loftus-Cheek gave the impression of being everywhere on the pitch," wrote French outlet Footmercato. "On social networks, some did not hesitate to make comparisons with Milan legends Ruud Gullit, Clarence Seedorf or even with Yaya Touré."

Gazzetta dello Sport, meanwhile, compared him to an F1 car: “More than Loftus - Lotus: the engine of an F1 car. He accelerates with all of Paris in front of him and no one to stop him."

Milan and Chelsea faced off in Europe last season and these encounters played a crucial role in the eventual transfer with Loftus-Cheek reportedly being keen on moving to Italy as early as last October.

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An immensely talented player, Loftus-Cheek never managed to consistently perform and break into Chelsea's side, but there may be an air of regret looming over his eventual departure given that he was a homegrown talent.

If certain bonuses are reached, the deal could see Chelsea pocket as much as €20-25 million from the move, but the midfielder could perhaps have been of use at Stamford Bridge for the inconsistent and inexperienced Blues this term.