Chelsea’s Ruben Loftus-Cheek could reportedly yet make the England squad for the World Cup.
Loftus-Cheek, 26, hasn’t been called up by the Three Lions since 2018.
However, the Blues midfielder is playing regularly and impressing for his club right now. He was actually part of Gareth Southgate’s England squad at the previous World Cup four years ago, too.
Graham Potter has used Loftus-Cheek as a starter or off the bench during all six of his opening games as Chelsea’s new boss, so he’s clearly ticking a lot of boxes.
Loftus-Cheek could make the World Cup
According to The Telegraph, Loftus-Cheek is still in line to make a late dart to try force his way into England’s World Cup plans.
It is understood that Three Lions boss Southgate is likely to watch him again after seeing him live at the weekend in a win against Aston Villa, which is a match he played 90 minutes in and impressed.
The report adds that the Chelsea player’s versatility to slot in as an emergency wing-back is attractive to England as well.
He’s most recognised as a powerful box-to-box central midfielder, but there’s a lot more to his game now as he develops and matures. The Englishman is more than comfortable dropping in deeper to collect the ball and to try dictate possession. Also, he’s shown he can work effectively at right wing-back.
Loftus-Cheek does feel like quite a cheeky outside bet to earn an England recall, especially when you see the lack of depth in the centre of the park that’s available.
The Telegraph recently claimed that Loftus-Cheek was earning rave reviews from AC Milan officials after his Champions League performance.
He’s delivering domestic and on the European stage for Chelsea, but the only issue may be around a lack of starts because of his stiff competition at club level.
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