Chelsea loanee Ruben Loftus-Cheek might struggle to find a place in Roy Hodgson’s Crystal Palace XI.
Frank de Boer did not have much time to leave a legacy at Crystal Palace, but one thing he will be remembered fondly for is the signing of Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
The Chelsea loanee has been Palace’s best player so far this season, although competition for that moniker has been slim amidst a record-breakingly bad Premier League start.
After the De Boer sacking, Loftus-Cheek started Roy Hodgson’s first two games in charge but has since missed out on the lineup due to either injury or ineligibility.
During his absence, Hodgson has landed on a compact midfield anchored by Luka Milivojevic and Yohan Cabaye, and flanked by James McArthur and Jeffrey Schlupp.
It is a cautious approach designed to reduce the flood of goals, which it has to two in two league games from nine in two, and provide a base for Wilfried Zaha to work his magic.
With Zaha, Andros Townsend and Christian Benteke, when back from injury, to fit into the team, Loftus-Cheek might struggle to find a place in Hodgson’s Palace XI.
The midfielder has the physicality to play in a deeper role, and the instinct to contribute goals – he has seven in 17 for England’s Under-21s – but Hodgson favours discipline over dynamism.
Loftus-Cheek can help Palace escape relegation but, unless Hodgson finds some adventure, a loan spell which started so brightly might soon lose steam.
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