洛夫圖斯奇克：後腰不是太陌生的位置 - 切爾西足球俱樂部 Chelsea Football Club

https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/2021/10/19/
ruben-loftus-cheek-on-playing-the-deeper-role

Loftus-Cheek on playing the deeper role and his impact on the side

19 Oct 2021


It was yet another impressive midfield cameo from Ruben Loftus-Cheek in
our 1-0 victory over Brentford on Saturday, and the midfielder has said
that he relished playing in a deeper role.


https://i.imgur.com/mfayVHo.jpg


The Chelsea Academy graduate played alongside the ever-impressive pair of
N'Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic in the Blues midfield and spoke of the
enjoyment he is having this season after forcing his way into the side in
these early months of the term.


The 25-year-old has been on loan at Premier League clubs Crystal Palace
and Fulham in the past few campaigns and after a successful pre-season
back at Cobham, he has forced his way into head coach Thomas Tuchel's
plans for the campaign.


After our hard-earned win at the Brentford Community Stadium, Ruben spoke
of his delight of being in the starting XI and how he had to adapt to
playing a deeper midfield role than he usually would deploy.


'I am enjoying all my time on the pitch,' Ruben explained, with a huge
smile. 'It is not somewhere I have played a lot in my career. I started
deeper, but under different managers I have just moved up the pitch.


'I've played as a number eight, a number 10, winger, even as a striker and
now back to deeper midfield. It's where I have played a lot in my career
in the younger days, the number six or eight [position]. So it is not
something too foreign to me.


https://i.imgur.com/r3Fmew1.jpg


'Anywhere I play, especially in the midfield, is just fantastic. I love
being back at this club. I had full intentions of staying after my Fulham
loan so I am really happy to play and help the team.'


With different areas across the midfield desiring different skills and
attributes, the England international has had to adapt his game when
called upon. Despite playing a more attacking role in recent years, Ruben
insists he has no problems plying his trade deeper.


'At times, when opponents press it's intense and difficult,' added the
midfielder. 'I have to use my body and be aware of what is behind me, I
think I am quite good at that. Sometimes when teams press like that and
everyone is forward, I can then beat the press myself. It is just a big
advantage for the team if I can do that and we have got an overload to go
forward.


https://i.imgur.com/SEUxfIP.jpg
Loftus-Cheek completed 61 of his 68 passes on Saturday


'It's a position where you have to be safe a lot of the time, dictate the
play, it's hard sometimes as I want to run with it a lot more, but I had
to be disciplined in this role. I could run forward only three or four
times, but I picked the times. I enjoy it either way.


When pressed on what Tuchel had asked of him pre-match in our 1-0 victory
over Brentford, Ruben was quick to point out the German's desire to let
him have freedom on the pitch and to try and dominate through the lines.


'He said if I play this position, then be strong,' said Ruben. 'Use my
body, dominate physically, and just play how I play.


https://i.imgur.com/3go9tju.png
Ruben dominated against the Bees


'I think if you overthink stuff, things can go bad. I have played football
my whole life so it is just about playing and not overthinking. Play
football the way you normally do and have fun is the main thing.


'I think we forget sometimes with all the pressure and having to win, we
have to enjoy it as well.'

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When it comes to a crisis, still keep on running.

You believe in power. It's mental power.


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