Roy Hodgson is a well-travelled manager who has managed a total of 20 different clubs/national teams and during his 42-year spell as a coach, he's worked with his fair share of talented players -Ronaldo, Steven Gerrard, Andrea Pirlo, Javier Zanetti and Roberto Baggio.
So the fact he has said he hasn't worked with many players better than Ruben Loftus-Cheek should be a huge compliment to the midfielder.
Having struggled to fully break into the Chelsea side after coming through the ranks, the 22-year old was sent out on loan to Crystal Palace following the appointment of Frank De Boer's.
De Boer's reign was the worst in Premier League history, but Roy Hodgson managed to do the unthinkable and turn things around completely - guiding the Eagles to an 11th place finish after the were 20th when he took the reins.
Loftus-Cheek was an integral part of the resurgence and deservedly got his England call-up in November before producing a Man of the Match performance in the 0-0 friendly with Germany at Wembley.
Now in Gareth Southgate's 23-man squad for the World Cup, the former England manager showered praise on 'RLC'.
"He has got all the qualities you are looking for in a central midfielder," he told The Times.
"In the games he has played [at Crystal Palace], he has been almost our best player in every one of them.
"We have Wilfried Zaha of course, but he has certainly been on his coat-tails. I have not worked with many players better than Ruben Loftus-Cheek and what he can be.
"He has the chance to be a really top player at club and international level because he doesn't have any weaknesses."
The prospect of seeing what Loftus-Cheek can do on the international stage in Russia is very exciting, but it remains to be seen whether he will be part of Chelsea's plans for next season.
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Surely, with the difficulties the likes of Danny Drinkwater, Tiemoue Bakayoko and Ross Barkley have had this season, he's worth giving ago?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Featured Image Credit: PATopics: Football News, Football, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, England, Roy Hodgson, World Cup, Crystal Palace
