LAMPARD WORRY BETWEEN PULISIC AND RUBEN LOFTUS-CHEEK TONIGHT

Frank Lampard has been handed an unexpected Chelsea selection dilemma.
After more than 400 days without a competitive appearance, Ruben Loftus-Cheek returned for Chelsea against Aston Villa at the weekend

For more than a year the midfielder was forced to watch on from the sidelines. His career on hold as he recovered from a ruptured Achilles tendon suffered during a questionably-timed post-season friendly in the United States.


The rehabilitation period was arduous. There were difficult days, setbacks which delayed his progress but come early March he was ready to return. Then came Covid-19.

Once again, patience. Loftus-Cheek continued to work during lockdown, continued to stay as fit as possible so that once the Premier League campaign resumed, he would be ready.

The 24-year-old was started on the left wing by Frank Lampard, very much unfamiliar territory.

Yet it was a wise decision. It ensured Loftus-Cheek could ease himself back into the Blues side. He wasn’t caught up in the midfield hustle and bustle, he could be tentative in his approach, even if it was subconscious.

Loftus-Cheek lasted 55 minutes on his return. He looked rusty but that was to be expected. Competitive game time under his belt was all-important.

“I am delighted for Ruben to be back in the fold,” Lampard said after the game. “He has looked good and trained well, it was good to have something different. He will get much better and he has a lot to give.”

Christian Pulisic was Loftus-Cheek’s replacement at Villa Park. Chelsea trailed at that point in the game but five minutes after his introduction, the American brought Lampard’s side level. The Blues would go on to clinch all three points thanks to an Olivier Giroud strike.

Pulisic’s introduction helped swing the game in Chelsea’s favour. And he is likely to start when the Blues take on Manchester City on Thursday, especially if Willian and Pedro opt to walk away when their contracts end on June 30 rather than sign short-term deals.

The 21-year-old offers a very different threat to Loftus-Cheek, no great surprise given he is an established wide player and the England international is a midfielder by trade.

Pulisic is quicker than Loftus-Cheek and in wide positions that is invaluable.

It is what allows the U.S. star to evade defenders when in one-vs-one situations; he has completed 5.59 dribbles per 90 this term, a figure only bettered by seven Premier League players.

Pulisic also offers a greater threat behind defences than Loftus-Cheek. He can play off the shoulder of an opposition full-back and in turn, stretch the game. He is also very effective on the counter.

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Loftus-Cheek, as evidenced against Villa, instead comes inside in search of the ball. It’s little surprise given he is a midfielder, he wants to dictate games through possession.

He is an excellent dribbler in his own right - he completed 4.91 per 90 in the Premier League last season - but is at his best when he starts from deep and slaloms his way beyond challenges.

In wide positions, that is taken away from Loftus-Cheek - he completed just one dribble against Villa at the weekend.

That is something Lampard will have noted and something which will likely be considered when giving the midfielder further minutes.

However, the most important thing for Loftus-Cheek over the coming weeks is to stay injury-free. It’s unfair to expect the midfielder to produce his best after more than a year on the sidelines.

He’ll need a proper pre-season, a proper run in the side. It’s time for Chelsea fans to show patience.