Ruben Loftus-Cheek will remain part of the Chelsea first-team squad and will not be sent out on loan, boss Antonio Conte says.
The 20-year-old impressed playing just behind striker Michy Batshuayi during the 3-2 win over Bristol Rovers in the EFL Cup.
Conte said he felt Loftus-Cheek was most suited to an attacking role, rather than deeper, and would give him the chance to press his claims for a regular spot.
He said: “It’s right to improve the players in the squad, but it’s right also to give opportunities to young players like Loftus-Cheek to stay with the first team and help us.
“He can improve a lot but I am pleased because I see him every day during the training sessions – he wants to work very hard and I like this.
“I am happy with his commitment, his attitude – Ruben has great potential as a young player.
“He is very strong, very good at playing with his back [to goal], has good technique and sees the goal very well, with a good shot.”
Conte also revealed he originally wanted to bring on Nathaniel Chalobah against Rovers but instead introduced Oscar because the game was still in the balance.
It means the 21-year-old Chalobah, who has had six spells out on loan and featured for Chelsea in successive pre-season campaigns, is still waiting to make his competitive debut for the club.
Conte made a point of speaking to Chalobah after the substitution, and he subsequently explained: “The disappointment was mine because I wanted Chalobah to play.
“But I preferred to put Oscar on because the situation could [have] become very dangerous.
“But it’s a pity for me because he deserves to play. He’s a good young player.”
This post was last modified on 24/08/2016
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Have to agree with the 2 comments made, Conte when he tried to play RLC as a striker was actually admitting that he did not rate him as a CM.
I would say much the same about Solanke, the youngsters at Chelsea who look as if they could make the grade if given a chance are Ake, Baker, Chalobah and Traore.
I'd add Abraham and Aina but they are still too young that sometimes players of their age have found their level and never progress further but they do look good and seem to have their feet firmly on the ground, so good luck to them for the future.
chalobah is much much better than loftus cheek, he's a more complete player than RLC
`I'm sorry but I really cant see RLC making it in our 1st team as a regular starter. Hes nowhere near good enough to be a striker nor as a CM. But of course we cant be seen to give up on him because he is the academys golden boy. We hyped him to the hilt praying he was going to make it but now his wages are so high (for an unproved youth) that no other club would want to take him on. Hes a problem for us. Chalobah on the other hand. Now that lads good!