It’s safe to say that Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s first cap for England in their Wembley clash against Germany on Friday ticked plenty of boxes.
The youngster stole the show in the midfield, winning the man-of-the-match award for his accomplished performance against the World Cup-holders.
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HANNAH MCKAY Loftus-Cheek has been highly praised for his performance against Germany[/caption]
Many were surprised before kick-off to see the 20-year-old starting the game as England’s main creative outlet, with the Chelsea-loanee only beginning to enjoy all of the benefits of regular first-team football at lowly Crystal Palace.
Rex Features The midfielder has moved to Crystal Palace on loan this season[/caption]
But the player’s dad was hardly surprised.
Speaking to the Daily Mail in the aftermath of his son’s star man performance, he said: “He is like a Rolls Royce.
“He used to win all of the player of the year awards.
“But once Chelsea clapped eyes on him they knew what he was.
“They knew he was special.”
PA:Press Association He made only a handful of appearances at parent-club Chelsea[/caption]
However, RLC’s old man had less praise for his son’s former manager – Jose Mourinho.
“Mourinho held him back,” he says.
“He should have been playing.
“Everyone behind the scenes was asking: ‘why isn’t he playing?’
“If Ruben was playing for Mauricio Pochettino, he’d have 70, 80, 90 first team appearances by now.”
News Group Newspapers Ltd The player’s dad blames Mourinho for his lack of game time[/caption]
He might have a point, y’know.
During his second-stint as Chelsea gaffer, Mourinho handed Loftus-Cheek his senior debut with the Blues in a Champions League tie against Sporting Lisbon back in 2014.
But the academy graduate enjoyed just eight more appearances under the Special One, before he left Stamford Bridge in December 2015.
Reuters Will Loftus-Cheek earn himself a place in the squad for next summer’s World Cup?[/caption]
And last season, under Antonio Conte, he made just 11 first-team appearances, mostly from the bench.
It was high-time he moved on, with the switch to Palace over the summer crucial to his place in Gareth Southgate’s latest England squad.
Maybe he’ll return to Chelsea next season as a regular-starter?
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