Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek is closing in on a return to training after overcoming a serious injury he picked up at the end of last season.
The 23-year-old impressed last season under Maurizio Sarri and made 40 appearances across all competitions, helping the Blues to a top-four finish in the Premier League and the finals of the Carabao Cup and Europa League. But he picked up an Achilles injury in a post-season friendly against MLS side New England Revolution in May and has missed the Europa League final last season and the start of this season under Frank Lampard.
Loftus-Cheek has now revealed he is now ‘close’ to getting back on the pitch.
He told Versus of his recovery: “It’s going well!
“It’s been a long time and I’ve had a few setbacks as well. It’s never been just a straight path but I’m close now…I’ve been running and moving, I feel I’m right on the edge. I’m close and I can’t wait.”
Despite Loftus-Cheek’s absence, Chelsea has been able to shine, with a number of academy graduates coming into the side under new manager Frank Lampard and thriving. After their 2-1 win over Watford on Saturday, the Blues are fourth in the Premier League.
Fellow academy graduates Mason Mount, Tammy Abraham, Fikayo Tomori and Callum Hudson-Odoi who has also returned from a serious injury have all been given opportunities in the first team this season and have impressed.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek will similarly want to cement his place in the team but it remains to be seen where he is played by Lampard with Mount holding the attacking midfield position for the moment.
