---
title: "Everton: Noel Whelan backs Ruben Loftus-Cheek move"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/chelsea-transfer-news-loftus-cheek-premier-league/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Adam Clancy"
section: "Everton News"
published: "2022-11-19T20:15:43Z"
modified: "2022-11-19T20:15:43Z"
---

# Everton: Noel Whelan backs Ruben Loftus-Cheek move

**[Former BBC pundit](https://icdb.tv/stats/4247/Noel-Whelan) Noel Whelan has backed [Everton](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/everton-fc-news/) in their reported pursuit of Ruben Loftus-Cheek in the January transfer window.**

### The Lowdown: Everton interested in Loftus-Cheek

As per journalist [Simon Phillips](https://siphillipstalkschelsea.substack.com/p/sources-loftus-cheek), the Goodison Park outfit are monitoring the midfielder ahead of a potential bid in January.

His current deal at Chelsea expires in [2024](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ruben-loftus-cheek/profil/spieler/202886), meaning that he will only have one year left on his contract come the summer.

### The Latest: Whelan backs Loftus-Cheek move

Speaking to [Football Insider](https://www.footballinsider247.com/pundit-on-everton-securing-game-changing-ruben-loftus-cheek-signing-after-update/), Whelan has claimed that Loftus-Cheek is a ‘level above’ Frank Lampard’s current options in the middle of the park, adding that the 26-year-old would give Everton ‘stability and consistency’.

The former Leeds striker said: *“I think this would be a case of just reinforcing that Everton squad.* *He’s not a game-changer. He’s not a number nine, or a number ten – positions they need to improve.*

*“He’s a quality player at a good age, but he would just be a figure who can drive forward with the ball and use that physical frame.* *But he certainly wouldn’t change the fortunes of that forward line.*

*“He’ll give them stability and consistency in midfield, which they need.* *He’s a level above what they have at the moment, so from that point of view, what a fine signing he will be for any club who get him.”*

[Everton news!](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/everton-news-8/)

### The Verdict: Risky

Loftus-Cheek is a player that Lampard knows very well and trusts, having [played](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ruben-loftus-cheek/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/202886/plus/0?saison=&verein=&liga=&wettbewerb=&pos=&trainer_id=60805) under the 44-year-old when he was Chelsea manager.

However, his time at Stamford Bridge under the current Everton boss was disrupted by [injury](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ruben-loftus-cheek/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/202886/plus/0?saison=&verein=&liga=&wettbewerb=&pos=&trainer_id=60805), and the midfielder has endured a history of [fitness problems](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ruben-loftus-cheek/verletzungen/spieler/202886) throughout his career.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”415731″\]

Unfortunately, these problems mean that Loftus-Cheek has not really been able to fulfil his potential, having showed so much promise in his earlier years, even [playing](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ruben-loftus-cheek/nationalmannschaft/spieler/202886) for England at the 2018 World Cup as a 22-year-old.

Now 26, the midfielder still has time to get his career back on track, and a reunion with Lampard could be a good fit, but the Toffees must be wary of the injury problems which have hampered his career so far.