Ruben Loftus-Cheek looks set to start for England against Panama on Sunday, after a rapid rise since winning his first senior cap back in November against Germany.
Understandably, Chelsea fans are extremely excited to see the 22 year old, who has come through the club’s academy, starting for his country at the World Cup. But their excitement should be tempered by the potential consequences of this breakthrough.
Looks like Dele Alli's out for Sunday 😲
Who would you have replace him? 🤔
❤️ for Ruben Loftus-Cheek
RT for Fabian Delph pic.twitter.com/S6EdcP4gvc— 888sport (@888sport) June 21, 2018
His interview in the Daily Telegraph, which came out just as it became clear that he would be starting, had some pretty direct quotes from the midfielder about his future:
“I want to play… that’s the key for me next season regarding where I end up. I want to play. I want to play as much as I can… I still feel I need a proper season of playing, wherever it is.”
The strong season he had at Crystal Palace, combined with this England breakout, has raised Ruben’s expectations about his future. As he says himself, he won’t be be happy with a place on the bench back at Stamford Bridge.
It would be incredibly painful for Chelsea fans to see him leave the club after watching him rise through the ranks. They have been clamouring for him to be played more for years now, but successive managers haven’t given him the minutes that needs – and clearly wants.
Perhaps his World Cup showings will be the hard evidence of his quality that previous managers have felt was lacking when it came to integrating him into the first team – but whoever is in charge at the Bridge next season will have a more tough job than ever convincing him he should stay now that he’s shown he’s an international class player.
We’ve reached breaking point now, and Sunday’s game will see Ruben finally emerge onto the world stage. The secret will be out, and there will be no going back for him, or for Chelsea, from there.
