The last player to make it through the Chelsea youth system and become a Blues starter was John Terry nearly 20 years ago; though is seems that the wait for a new homegrown star might be coming to an end.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek has been given more a chance than any other player in recent years, and with each game he is starting to look better and more comfortable as a bonafide regular.
Whilst he is typically deployed in a midfield role, Antonio Conte recently spoke of his desire to give him a chance up front, suggesting that his quality’s would serve him well up in such a berth.
“Every manager has their own idea about a system of play,” Conte told the club’s official website.
“In this system, with two midfielders, Ruben can play close to the other forward but become a forward when we have the ball.
“I like him a lot in the position of striker. He can improve a lot because he has great potential, good technique, good personality and he is good one vs one.”
With doubts remaining over the long-term future of Diego Costa and both Romelu Lukaku and Alvaro Morata looking hugely expensive, perhaps the England under-21 international would be a good bet leading the line.
Granted, it might be a weird one for the Blues faithful to understand right away, but the move can definitely makes sense.
To that end, here are THREE reasons why Loftus-Cheek must be used as a striker next season.
