Why Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s versatility is crucial to Chelsea's tactical flexibility under Thomas Tuchel
Going into the season, it would have been brave to predict that Ruben Loftus-Cheek would have such a key role to play for Chelsea, but the 26-year-old has earned his place in Thomas Tuchel’s plans.
With links to Lazio and a reunion with Maurizio Sarri, many Blues fans had tipped Loftus-Cheek with a Chelsea departure this summer.
With Conor Gallagher impressing during his loan spell at Crystal Palace, it was thought that he would return from Selhurst Park and take Loftus-Cheek’s place in the Blues squad.
However, this has not been the case as the 26-year-old has appeared in every single match to start the 2022/23 season.
Advert
While Gallagher was given the opportunity to impress Tuchel on the Blues’ pre-season tour of the United States, Loftus-Cheek stayed at Cobham due to his vaccination status.
Therefore, it would have been no surprise for the likes of Gallagher and co to overtake the Englishman in Tuchel’s plans.
However, this has not been the case and Loftus-Cheek has proven that he still holds remarkable value to Tuchel and Chelsea, perhaps even being one of the first names on the team sheet in recent weeks.
The midfielder has completed 90 minutes in three of the first four matches of the Premier League season, proving his worth.
Operating in a hybrid role as a right wing-back and midfielder, Loftus-Cheek is allowing Chelsea to play in a unique fashion.
So far this season we have seen Tuchel’s side play with a back five out of possession, with Loftus-Cheek tucking in to help out Reece James and provide width when defending.
The most interesting thing about the tactics of Tuchel is when Loftus-Cheek moves centrally when the Blues are in possession, becoming almost a third midfielder and allowing James to overlap on the right hand side of central defence.
This not only benefits Chelsea defensively, allowing James to drop deeper and assist Thiago Silva, while Loftus-Cheek covers the wide runners, but has also aided the Blues’ attack.
There is no doubt that James’ best position is as a right wing-back, but Loftus-Cheek has shown his ability in attack as well.
The 26-year-old arguably should have at least one or two goals this season, getting into positive positions but being unable to finish.
During his time on loan at Crystal Palace back in the 2017/18 season, Loftus-Cheek operated in wide positions, often as a right winger.
This saw Roy Hodgson get the best out of the midfielder, who utilised his dribbling and power well to take on defenders.
This role has been revived for Chelsea, seeing Loftus-Cheek operate as a wingback and utilise this skillset once more.
Against Leicester, Chelsea were reduced to 10 men but Loftus-Cheek stepped in to provide support for Jorginho, allowing the Blues to make the most of the disadvantage.
With Tuchel’s side coming away with all three points in the 2-1 victory, Loftus-Cheek’s importance was highlighted, once again completing 90 minutes and putting in an impressive display despite the disadvantage.
With Chelsea cooling their interest in Denzel Dumfries and Kyle Walker-Peters in recent weeks, Loftus-Cheek has proven that he can fill in rather than have Chelsea spend £40 million plus on a back-up to James.
With Gallagher now suspended when Chelsea face Southampton, and both Mateo Kovacic and N’Golo Kante struggling with injuries, we could see Loftus-Cheek return to central midfield.
It remains to be seen as to how this will affect the way Tuchel sets up his Chelsea side, but the fascinating role of Loftus-Cheek at Chelsea is one to keep an eye on this season.
From a poor loan at Fulham in 2020/21, the Cobham graduate returned to fight for his place and at the moment it is hard to argue that anybody is more important to Tuchel’s plans than the 26-year-old, who has become one of the first names on the team sheet this season.
Topics: Chelsea, Thomas Tuchel, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Football, Premier League
Nick Emms