Loftus-Cheek: The more I play, the better I play

Ruben Loftus-Cheek is averaging a goal for every hour of Premier League action so far this season, and while that ratio may benefit from a small data set, Loftus-Cheek himself does not. Quite the opposite in fact. More minutes means better football from the 22-year-old on both sides of the ball.

“When I get time to play I am always doing my best. This season it looked like I am getting time in the Europa League and I had to be ready for that, and if I do well in the Europa League then maybe I will get more minutes in the Premier League, like this game and I will try to do my best.

“The more I play the better I feel and the better I play. Days like this I get my time to play and try to take it, whether that is a goal or an assist or making blocks. I have to do things both defensively and offensively.”

RLC’s comments to Chelsea TV mirrored most of what he said in front of Sky Sports’ cameras as well, emphasizing in both interviews his own tactical growth (the need for which had been pointed out repeatedly by Sarri earlier this season) and the challenge that the visitors posed despite their lowly status as the team at the very bottom of the league.

“I thought we needed that cushion because Fulham were dangerous, definitely in the last 20 minutes, so it was good to get the goal to take a bit of pressure off us.

“I tried to lay the ball off to Eden and I turned, and there was a big space in front and luckily he played the ball through and I finished it.

“We needed to follow the game at Tottenham up with a win on Thursday and in this game as well in the Premier League. It is a tough game playing Fulham and credit to them because they were dangerous at times, they have a new manager now and they look solid, so a tough game for us and good to get the win.”

-Ruben Loftus-Cheek; source: Chelsea FC

RLC now has five goals in his last six games in all competitions. That’s a goal more than he scored in his first 60 senior team appearances, for Chelsea or Crystal Palace. He’s on fire and taking full advantage of any opportunities to get ahead in the competition against Ross Barkley and Mateo Kovačić for minutes in Sarri’s midfield. Long may this continue!