Chelsea midfielder Willian has hailed Ruben Loftus-Cheek and joked he is surprised the club allowed the 21-year-old England player to leave on loan for Crystal Palace.
Loftus-Cheek has made a bright start in Palace’s midfield and enjoyed an excellent England debut in Friday’s 0-0 draw with Germany at Wembley.
He was forced off with a back injury in the first half of Tuesday’s goalless draw with Brazil but Willian, who trained and played with Loftus-Cheek at Chelsea, was impressed.
‘A very good player,’ Willian said. ‘He is strong, he has quality. He has a great future.’
The Brazilian then laughed: ‘I don’t know why he is at Crystal Palace. He has to come back!’
Willian, who captained Brazil during last week’s 3-1 victory over Japan and came off the bench at Wembley late on, praised the organisation of Gareth Southgate’s young team.
‘England are a very strong team with young players, quality players,’ he said. ‘It was difficult for us to find spaces because they had a lot of players behind the ball.
‘We created four or five chances to score but didn’t manage to. England can improve a lot, like us. I think they can do that.’
Palace boss Roy Hodgson will give an update on Loftus-Cheek’s injury on Thursday afternoon. It is understood that if the player is ruled out of Saturday’s Premier League clash at home to Everton, his absence will not be for more than one game.
Palace sit bottom of the table after a 1-0 defeat by Tottenham before the international break, having won just one point since October 14.
Titbes
2
chelsea ar gud..guyz those boys need to be..loaned cz we will bring them back wen there are mature we watch them ryt will see
takms
2
they are not giving them chance to play, look at Jnr mousunda. a good player to replace hazard. but always on bench. in fact Chelsea has a problem of dealing with young talents. it's too bad.
so with the situation at Chelsea and struggles for wining consistency, you would prefer easily out muscled Mosunder for Hazard? Don't be emotionally affiliated in your judgment please.
Fuhbmrt
2
it's nice to here that.
U.S.A4535095
2
when you let your emotions dominate your brain, that's when you make those comments. The boy is just 21, he resently came from the academy, loaning him to another to get a regular start has been a good idea. May be you av forgotten, this boy is a chealse player, think of the starting eleven they have!! could the boy make it directly? Chelsea knows the quality of this boy and that's why they just loaned him and not sold him. its good for the team and the for the boys career.
LordListo1
4
they are not giving them chance to play, look at Jnr mousunda. a good player to replace hazard. but always on bench. in fact Chelsea has a problem of dealing with young talents. it's too bad.
if you have the quality you'll play... Christensen is playing, Ethan Ampadu is also playing so come again please
CHUKSDEMC
2
if he didn't go out to Crystal Palace, he won't noticed that much, he has the freedom to express himself without any pressure. Sometimes this loan do help them a lot in their progress
Cuwadknrty
0
they are not giving them chance to play, look at Jnr mousunda. a good player to replace hazard. but always on bench. in fact Chelsea has a problem of dealing with young talents. it's too bad.
sajjad1
0
also good players he.
confused
1
I hope his gon be our future captain him and lewis baker is our future midfield with kante and musonda
tsunamia
0
Explosive runs, he will definitely make it at the highest stage given a chance
oisjing
0
problem is when these players leave chelsea they become legends for the team they play once they are back they tend to become laid back and chilled out.
ppp3669
0
He is superb, but Unlucky with he's teammates.
FCBlahm
0
I knew all he needed was a damn loan look at that. Such improvement Conte better see he is ready next season and Jay Dasilva as well
farewella
0
he is definitely better option than bakayoko.. young, strong, can pass and dictate mid.. i hope chelsea sell this player to Man Utd.. hahaha
Radionic
0
He has potential to be like like Kevin DeBruyne of Man city in the system Pep is playing where Kevin dictates all the build-up play after David Silva pass. He can Pass the ball, Has good releasing technique, Decent shot
birthday
0
He has the quantity to become the next paul pogba or yaya toure
pokerin
0
The way he's playing, he has to be in the Chelsea team. Hope Roy keeps playing him when he's fit.
TKloveFCB
0
RLC has blossomed into a real box to box midfielder during this loan spell. The only reason he was loaned out was that we already had a box to box central midfielder in bakayoko.Hope he joins back in January and Conte gets him some playing time .
Hgame
0
A player of immense talent, needs to find his niche (either assists or goals) and he’ll become a player. The potential has always been there.
allisonon
0
This kid after this year will be ready I hope Chelsea won't screw this one up
neutron
0
Chelsea is overflowing with talent. Unreal.
amicablef
0
I love loftus cheek as box to box cm. he’s incredible when he plays that role no can touch him.
Robinhan
0
I had heard that he had been doing well but didn't realize that he was bossing games single handedly. Cracking player. Lets hope he develops and comes back next season, stronger faster and smarter.
puyueer
0
Happy that he got an england call up, will give us a different option going forward and can be pivotal for Chelsea & England for years to come
enjoying
0
Much as I hated the loan system chelsea have, id say he's the player that really needed the loan to prove himself and develop with more gametime.
okanbill
0
What a player..He should definitely be in chelsea squad next year. 😍😍
gramme
1
Have to say I'd all but given up on Ruben over the last twelve months but his performances at Palace have been excellent
beansmin
0
Impressed by his physicality and movement on the ball , watching him is like watching superstar Eden Hazard , great talent Loftus Cheek future chelsea star
yuyuyu
0
He's not going to get ahead of alli but he could increase his chance of playing in the world cup.
tuition
0
really want to see him in our starting line up next year! He's definitely good enough
neymarjr19
1
Its just small questions..i think because Chelsea think..Loftus Cheek is not too important..but to me..Loftus Cheek is talented player..
Noel555
0
One more thing to work on and he will be up there among the best in the world. And the thing is STRENGTH.
happinese
0
Real TALENT... if not in Chelsea XI next season, dissolve the academy
knackered
0
Amazing what a bit of confidence and self-belief can do for one’s performance. Must be great to know that Southgate has joined all those in SE25 that believe in you! ❤️
herbivoro
0
Congratulations on making such an impact on the big stage, Cheeky - please be fit for Saturday, buddy!
birdnana
0
Starring role? He didn't even play the full first half and was as average as the rest of the team during that time.
foreverbay
0
Don't take his sarcasm seriously. Nobody was talking about RLC when Crystal Palace lost every game.
Erlang
0
Willian is a great player and a gentleman.