‘A lovely first touch’: Craig Burley raves about Chelsea player that impressed him in FA Cup win on Sunday

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Craig Burley was full of praise for Chelsea’s Ruben Loftus-Cheek after his performance on Sunday in the FA Cup semi-finals.

Loftus-Cheek, 26, scored his first goal of the season in the 2-0 victory against Crystal Palace at Wembley Stadium.

The midfielder, who came on as a first-half substitute for injured teammate Mateo Kovacic, delivered an eye-catching display in the centre of the park.

He received widespread praise after his individual display. For example, Blues teammate Mason Mount described him as “brilliant” against Palace.

Burley delivered a glowing verdict on Loftus-Cheek in post-match analysis of Chelsea’s cup success. He even suggested he could break into Thomas Tuchel’s preferred line-up, too.

“He (Loftus-Cheek) did make a difference. He’s got all the skillset. He’s big, powerful, quick, got super quick feet, got a lovely first touch, good change of pace. He could play his way into this team,” Burley told ESPN.

Best Chelsea midfield

Loftus-Cheek’s played 32 games across all competitions this season, so he’s clearly someone Blues manager Tuchel likes and has faith in.

You’d have to say he’s not currently in the best XI, though.

Mateo Kovacic and N’Golo Kante are the outstanding combination as the central midfielders for Chelsea, which is a partnership that when it clicks looks imperious.

The side are so more potent as an attacking threat when they’ve got players in the centre of the park that can break the lines and dribble past an opponent.

Loftus-Cheek has the individual quality to really influence games if he plays with confidence, but there has to be a consistency to nail down a starting spot at Stamford Bridge.

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