Former Arsenal footballer Stewart Robson has slammed Chelsea's Ruben Loftus-Cheek for his performance in midfield during their defeat against Brentford.
Loftus-Cheek started the match in a midfield three alongside N'Golo Kante and Mason Mount. While he completed 96% of his passes and created two chances for his side, RLC completed just a solitary tackle and interception.
The Bees easily bypassed their opponents' midfield in the second half to record a deserved 4-1 victory at Stamford Bridge. Brentford scored three times between the 50th and 60th minutes, with Vitaly Janelt striking twice, either side of a neat Christian Eriksen finish. The triple strike came after Antonio Rudiger had put the hosts ahead in the 48th minute.
Analyzing the game on ESPN's YouTube channel, Robson criticized Loftus-Cheek for failing to protect his centre-backs while playing in holding midfield. He said (as quoted by The Chelsea Chronicle):
“Loftus-Cheek, I don’t think has got a great defensive understanding. Loftus-Cheek was meant to be that holding player [against Brentford] to go in-between his centre-halves and provide that extra bit of cover. And he didn’t do that particularly well.”
Thomas Tuchel's side struggled to muster any sort of response after going 3-1 down at the hour mark. They ended up conceding a fourth goal to substitute Yoane Wissa in the 87th minute as the Bees sealed an impressive victory.
Chelsea will look to bounce back from Brentford defeat against Real Madrid
Chelsea will need to quickly put their home defeat against Brentford behind them as they prepare for another crucial clash in Europe. The Blues will take on Real Madrid in the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League, with the first leg set to take place at Stamford Bridge tonight (April 6).
Tuchel's side are the defending champions in the competition and beat Los Blancos on their way to the title last season. The two teams met in the semifinals, with the Blues triumphing 3-1 on aggregate to make it into the summit clash.
Real Madrid will present a massive test of this Chelsea side's mental fortitude and enter this game after a 2-1 win at Celta Vigo over the weekend. They are now 12 points clear at the top of La Liga with 69 points from 30 matches.
Deodmnz
1
your absolutely right his level is not a chelsea player
kasbiklpt
0
you are dam right
Ciwbcdkors
1
This RLc is not at the level to be a Chelsea player. The kind of high pressing and fast moving football we are playing at Stanford Ford Bridge his qualities doesn't appeal to them.
homckmyz
0
he was the main problem for the defeat
heb& timo wenner
Kiuabceil
0
was waste
karaama3006
0
u right
frastel
1
So it means your greatest asset is insulting people. How can you say Mendy was ASS in the game. Go and download the match highlight and look at the 4 goals and tell me the one which was his fault. You also blamed him because of the headlines that were written after the match. If you truly watched the match, u would have known none was his fault. Let me even ask u if u had been able to give out 100% at all times in your life.
cosabeipty
0
U right
Kuabceiotz
1
everyone in these comments are disgusting and are not recognized to me as Chelsea fans... how do you allow a former arsenal player to criticize RLC, Who is our player and is even from our academy and no different from mount or james, it's disgusting that you allowed this to happen despite his performance in a game where no one the pitch pulled their weight not even Mendy who was A$$ that game, our players should be protect from retired fat mfs like Stewart Robson do your job as Chelsea Fans
so dumb for saying that
Klose2002
0
he was the main problem for the defeat
ExcelIbMo
1
RLC is simply not good enough, each time he plays in that midfield, we lost or at best draw. Please sell him to Italy...
kaman95
1
Play him as attacking midfield n see his class ☺️.
darionoharis
0
everyone in these comments are disgusting and are not recognized to me as Chelsea fans... how do you allow a former arsenal player to criticize RLC, Who is our player and is even from our academy and no different from mount or james, it's disgusting that you allowed this to happen despite his performance in a game where no one the pitch pulled their weight not even Mendy who was A$$ that game, our players should be protect from retired fat mfs like Stewart Robson do your job as Chelsea Fans
sorry to say this ..but the only questionable change in the starting line up was RLC.Mendy has been performing with the same starting lineup for majority of the season and he has been nothing less than extraordinary. I agree he was to blame for some carless passes in the first half but RLC should never be utilised as a CDM EVERRR AGAIN!
darionoharis
1
I am a Chelsea Fan but I have to admit he can never be considered for a Deeper defensive midfield role ever again.Absolute waste of his talents.
Nuabckmotz
2
Loftus cheek is an attacking midfielder a number 8 not a defensive midfielder. the boy is very good talented. you see his bed when played as an attacking midfielder
ceddklprs
0
everyone in these comments are disgusting and are not recognized to me as Chelsea fans... how do you allow a former arsenal player to criticize RLC, Who is our player and is even from our academy and no different from mount or james, it's disgusting that you allowed this to happen despite his performance in a game where no one the pitch pulled their weight not even Mendy who was A$$ that game, our players should be protect from retired fat mfs like Stewart Robson do your job as Chelsea Fans
Jam35s
5
his oversized body was never utilized against those little bees
Vombeoru
0
i don't know what Barkley did to Tuchel that Tuchel has vowed never play and keeps playing cheek, Barkley is much better than this lazy big man called cheek
josilva877
1
Tuchel will sell him this summer
yahackmnyz
1
Whenever Loftus Cheek played, he is shot one for Chelsea. Sell him pls.
Kaybugar
1
God bless you Mr Robinson. I thought i was the only one who saw that. Dude useless AF, only tall and huge for nothing. Sell him to Roma ASAP 😒
Essentially
4
I wonder why our coach played him as DMF, Loftus Cheek is not good at that position at all.
dennisachafu
6
Loftus-Cheek should be benched for now. Whenever he's playing holding midfield, he moves as if he's playing eight leaving his partner to suffer on counter attack. He's too slow to track back when he looses the ball. Joginho is slow also but he is very calculative and doesn't play high like Loftus.
Heoeins
1
the man is right I don't like cheek pattern of play he slow down our transition
yaceklmrt
3
he is very slow indeed n heard to improve he to be sold this summer
Nixhazel
5
this guy is right he didn't do his job of covering the centre backs