Maybe circles isn't the right word. Ruben isn't just going round and round, beating defenders for the sheer fun of it. He's driving with purpose, straight towards the heart of Brighton('s penalty area) and creating havoc and carnage along the way.
And so it's panic stations for this flock of Seagulls every time they spot big bad RLC bearing down, and only a lucky leg and a slightly mistimed run saves them from annihilation.
Behold.
lightwork pic.twitter.com/NQvgITczB6
— KG (@ElMagoCF4v2) December 16, 2018
Of course, there’s never been a question about Ruben’s talent, and his amazing potential that combines silky feet with strength, pace, and power, but Sarri has harped on his “tactical awareness” a fair bit while injuries are seemingly never too far away.
Fortunately, Loftus-Cheek has been managing to stay healthy, perhaps in part due to the increasingly regular playing time he’s been getting lately from the head coach. Sunday’s substitute appearance — first off the bench! — was the sixth straight appearance in all competitions for him (three starts). In fact, since his hat-trick against BATE, Ruben has missed just three games (and Chelsea won just one of those three)!
The competition for minutes at Chelsea remains as strong as ever, but RLC looks to be carving out a very solid role for himself, and hopefully putting an end to any rumors of leaving (on loan or worse).