sportbible logo

To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

'Unplayable' Ruben Loftus-Cheek Compared To Yaya Toure After Performance Vs Malmo

'Unplayable' Ruben Loftus-Cheek Compared To Yaya Toure After Performance Vs Malmo

Ruben Loftus-Cheek earned comparisons to Yaya Toure after starring in the Champions League for Chelsea.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek has been compared to Yaya Toure by Rio Ferdinand, who hailed him as "unplayable".

The 25-year-old was handed a first Champions League start in six years last night as Chelsea beat Malmo 1-0 away from home courtesy of a solitary Hakim Ziyech goal in the second half.

Image: PA
Image: PA

And prior to the game, Ferdinand paid the Chelsea academy product a huge compliment when he likened him to Manchester City legend, one of the best midfielders ever to grace the Premier League.

"I love him [Loftus-Cheek]," Ferdinand said on BT Sport.

"I’ve always known about him from friends at Chelsea.

"He’s a fantastic specimen, first and foremost. I liken him, in full flow, to someone like Yaya Toure.

"He can intimidate players. When he turns and goes full pelt, it’s unplayable at times. As a centre back that’s one of your biggest fears.

"He’s a fantastic talent. He’s as comfortable in the wide areas of a front three as he is in front of the defence. You don’t get that with many players. The strings he has to his bow are beautiful."

Ferdinand waxed lyrical before the game and after seeing the England international strut his stuff in Malmo, doubled down on the Toure talk in his post-match analysis.

"The thing with him is that his body has been his biggest problem. It's always gone against him. He's got into the team and got his chance and all of sudden his body has broken down.

"He looks the fittest I've ever seen him in a Chelsea shirt and the opportunities come again and he's taken it.

"The name associated with him at the moment, Yaya Toure, if he adds goals to his games you can start talking like that.

"You can see the similarities, the power, the speed of thought, the quick feet. I just feel he could add that impact if he adds goals."

But while there's no denying Loftus-Cheek is a huge talent, plenty reckon the comparisons with Toure, a three-time Premier League winner, were a step too far.

Manager Thomas Tuchel has been displaying trust in Loftus-Cheek and in pre-season, is said to have told him, "You are special. I cannot believe you haven't played more for Chelsea".

Featured Image Credit: Image: PA & BT Sport

Topics: Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Chelsea, Champions League