Rio Ferdinand has claimed that Newcastle United and West Ham United transfer target, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, ‘should be like Yaya Toure’, as he told Vibe with Five.
The former centre-back added that the Chelsea midfielder is a ’top-tier’ player.
At 26-years-old, Loftus-Cheek has been around for a number of years, but the all-action midfielder hasn’t been able to cement a regular place in the Chelsea XI.
That’s probably why clubs like West Ham and Newcastle are looking at signing the player in the summer – and perhaps, for the long-term, he is better off making a move.
But, of late, he has been starting for Thomas Tuchel at Stamford Bridge, as Ferdinand likes what he sees from the player.
“He should be like Yaya (Toure),” said Ferdinand. “I have seen him play in defence this season. It’s mad and he looks super comfortable.
“The manager is starting to trust him and you are seeing a better Ruben Loftus-Cheek now because he can sense trust.
“I think he’s somebody that they need to find a defined role in this team now for him and let him go.
“Say ‘go, do your stuff’. Make some demands off him. I want more goals and I want more assists. He’s a top-tier player.”
With Conor Gallagher doing bits at Crystal Palace, it’s interesting what will happen to the Chelsea loanee next season.
The attacking midfielder has proven how moving away from Chelsea has resulted in him earning an England call.
Whilst Loftus-Cheek hasn’t been part of Gareth Southgate’s squad for some time.
Would Gallagher have earned that England call if he decided to stay at Chelsea this season? Probably not, simply because of the lack of regular minutes he would have got, nothing to do with talent.
So, if Loftus-Cheek wants to become an England regular, then he surely has to move, unless he can become a Chelsea regular.
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