Chelsea’s 27-year-old says he does not mind playing in unnatural position for the team

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Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek said he does not mind playing as a right wing-back for the team but prefers to play in his natural position.

Obviously, Reece James remains Chelsea’s first-choice right wing-back option under Graham Potter.

However, amid his possible injury absence, after withdrawing from the England squad due to a hamstring issue, as well as Cesar Azpilicueta’s, Loftus-Cheek could fill the role again against Aston Villa on Saturday.

The 27-year-old is very versatile and has done well whenever he had to play on the right, but he could not hide his desire to be back playing in the middle of the pitch.

“I’ve played a few positions but mostly this season either centre-midfield or right wing-back,” he told Chelsea’s official website.

“Of course, I want to play in midfield but sometimes you have to do a job in different positions, as I can play a few positions.

“I haven’t really played in that kind of attacking midfield position on the left side for a couple of years now.”

In fairness, Loftus-Cheek is often given the licence to play more centrally when he plays in this position compared to when James or Azpilicueta does.

It was Thomas Tuchel who first introduced him to this role and, having played it plenty of times, he has become quite a reliable backup option.

“When it first came about it was kind of a shock,” he explained.

“Thomas Tuchel pitched it to me and said he thought I’d be quite effective there with my touch and running power in the wide areas.

“Sometimes he even gave me the freedom to come inside so it was a hybrid really of a full-back, a winger and a midfielder.

“At first it was foreign but having played there a few times now, I’m starting to feel quite comfortable there.”

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