West Ham reportedly want to sign Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek before the end of the transfer window – a player Joe Cole recently described as “outstanding” and “driving” the Chelsea train under Thomas Tuchel.
Loftus-Cheek, 26, started against Tottenham last Sunday and was one of the best players on the pitch. While Reece James was Chelsea’s man of the match, Loftus-Cheek was excellent in the middle of the park for the Blues.
The chances of Chelsea cashing in on England international Loftus-Cheek this summer seems unlikely. However, reports state that West Ham are showing interest in him – with the Hammers desperately needing a midfielder.
Speaking about Loftus-Cheek back in December 2021, at the midway point last season, ex-Chelsea and West Ham man Cole was very complimentary. He said that Loftus-Cheek was in “outstanding” form and “driving the train”.
“He’s been outstanding,” Cole said, as pre Football365. “At Fulham, he looked like he was carrying injury but he’s been outstanding. He’s actually been the pick of the bunch for Chelsea. He looks fit, strong, lean.
“That’s the demands he (Tuchel) sets. He’s gone clean slate this is what’s expected, this is the level. You’re either on the train with us or you jump off. Ruben has jumped on the train and he’s driving the train at the moment.”
West Ham want Loftus-Cheek: Cole described player as ‘outstanding’
West Ham need midfielders. The club have lost both Mark Noble and Alex Kral compared to last season. With the club embarking on a Europa Conference League, they have Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek as options.
Manuel Lanzini and Pablo Fornals can play there, but they are not holding midfielders. Conor Coventry played there against Viborg. They need one, if not two additions at the base of their midfield and Loftus-Cheek can do it.
Whether he wants to leave Chelsea at the moment, when he is performing so well under Tuchel, remains to be seen. Chelsea would also prefer to keep him, with N’Golo Kante suffering an injury on Sunday.
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