Most people expected Ruben Loftus-Cheek to be loaned out or sold last season, but for whatever reason nothing materialised, and he instead stay in Thomas Tuchel’s squad.
Minutes were hard to come by at first, but as Covid and injuries struck, Loftus-Cheek found himself used more and more, in stranger and stranger positions.
That same pattern could continue this season. We’ve seen glimpses of him already playing in new roles, and according to Simon Johnson’s report in the Athletic today, he played as a right back in Chelsea’s friendly against Brighton two weeks ago.
It’s a natural progression from the attacking right wing back role that Thomas Tuchel used him in pretty regularly last season.
If Potter does intend to play a back 4, that will create new opportunities for some players and shut down opportunities for others. RLC, with his newfound versatility, can benefit however Potter intends to set up.
