Chelsea: Fans name-check who should make room for imminent return of Ruben Loftus-Cheek

Lots of Chelsea fans are in jubilation with the news that Ruben Loftus-Cheek is close to returning to first-team action after nearly nine months out through injury.

Frank Lampard confirmed via the Evening Standard that the England international will continue to work with Chelsea’s U-23s with the Blues manager aiming to have Loftus-Cheek back in time for first-team action after the winter break. The 24-year-old midfielder ruptured his Achilles last season in a charity match against MLS side the New England Revolution, ruling him out for most of this campaign (per The Guardian).

With Chelsea being in somewhat poor form in recent weeks, with the west London side winning just one Premier League game in 2020 (per BBC Sport), many supporters on social media were buzzing to hear the news that Loftus-Cheek will back amongst the first-team picture soon.

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Author Mark Worrall took to Twitter to claim that Loftus-Cheek returning is the equivalent of ‘a new £50m signing’, despite Transfermarkt valuing him at £27m, and lots of Chelsea fans believed that the midfielder could slot back into the starting XI at the expense of a current starter, with Mason Mount just one name mentioned. Mount was struggling for form prior to the draw at Leicester City, failing to score or assist in the four previous games.

Here’s what Chelsea fans had to say on Twitter…

Ten times the player Mount is. Easy choice

— Robin Van Kovacic (@robinhocfc19) February 3, 2020

Barkley shouldn’t be in our thoughts

— Stephan Adams (@StephanAdams11) February 3, 2020

If he can prove his fitness – and i think thats a really big if – id go with Kante and Kova deep lying and RLC in front on them. Sell Barkley and have Jorge on the bench to help defend a lead and Mount if we have to chase one.

— Blue Daze (@bluedaze65) February 3, 2020

I love Kante, but I with RLC fit I wouldn’t play Kante or Barkley. I wouldn’t drop Jorg, Kova or Mount unless the team strategy called for it. Could argue rotation of Kante in. But out of the ones mentioned, you’ve got to consider Barkley prime suspect.

— Scott Taylor (@Scotteh85) February 3, 2020

Double pivot of Jorgi and Kova with RLC up top. RLC form will be a huge factor, I don’t expect him to play premier league top 4 standards just as yet. Maybe towards the end of the season.

— Supratik Das (@Supratik_Das) February 3, 2020