Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek ‘surprised’ Scott Minto on Saturday just by starting at West Ham United. He was also a target of Newcastle United for a transfer this January.
The Blues travelled to the London Stadium to face the Hammers in a match which finished 1-1. Both sides saw goals get ruled out, while referee Craig Pawson also waved away a late Chelsea penalty appeal. Even though the ball had clearly struck Tomas Soucek on his hand.
Graham Potter chose to start Loftus-Cheek in his engine room in east London with £107m British record transfer Enzo Fernandez. Yet the Chelsea boss would later take the £150k-a-week midfielder off for Conor Gallagher on 79 minutes with his final change at West Ham.
Saturday’s London derby was also Loftus-Cheek’s first Premier League match since before the World Cup on November 12 against Newcastle. The 27-year-old only featured for the opening seven minutes at St James’ Park before a calf injury forced Potter into a change.
Loftus-Cheek returned to fitness in January but he was only an unused substitute against Crystal palace and Liverpool. Potter then omitted the 10-cap England midfielder from his matchday squad entirely against Fulham. Yet he then started at West Ham this Saturday.
Loftus-Cheek stuns Minto by the Newcastle transfer target starting for Chelsea
Loftus-Cheek has now started in 13 of his 15 Premier League appearances so far this term. Yet he has not offered a goal over 20 games in all competitions so far this season. He also penned his one assist this campaign in his sole Champions League start against AC Milan.
But Newcastle were very keen on Loftus-Cheek’s transfer from Chelsea during January, per Dean Jones. The Toon were hopeful of securing a loan deal but the Stamford Bridge outfit refused to help a rival. Chelsea still hope to usurp Newcastle for a Champions League spot.
Now, Potter has turned back to Loftus-Cheek to try and help Chelsea after fending off the interest of Newcastle in his transfer. Yet just by starting the midfielder, the Blues manager left former Chelsea and West Ham defender Minto stunned after weeks in the wilderness.
“I was surprised to see Ruben Loftus-Cheek in the team,” Minto told BBC Radio 5 Live. “He must have been very good in training this week.”
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