OPINION
Newcastle United must target Ruben Loftus-Cheek in January to give Rafa Benitez’s team a much needed boost of quality.
After performing brilliantly for England at the World Cup over the summer the midfielder has seen his chances limited by the acquisition of Jorginho and the resurgence of Ross Barkley.
According to reports in the Mirror, Newcastle are amongst a host of clubs interested in the 22-year-old, even though Loftus-Cheek has refused to be drawn into any conversation speculating about his future.
He said: “I try not to think too much about the future. I can’t think that far ahead [to the end of the season], I can only think about what’s happening right now. It is a difficult period coming up where we have to be fully focused.
“There’s loads of games so loads of rotation, so we all need to be ready physically and mentally for this.
“My head right now is on playing for Chelsea and learning Sarri’s way.”
It really is a travesty that Ruben Loftus-Cheek isn’t been given more of an opportunity to prove himself. The calibre of player Chelsea have at their disposal in midfield is admittedly very high, but every time the England international plays he looks seriously impressive.
Surely he has to leave again, with a loan move being the least he deserves. Last season, prior to picking up the injury that nearly ruled him out of the World Cup, he was one of Crystal Palace’s best performers, and with Newcastle in a very similar position regarding their precarious survival hopes, there is every chance that he could be equally as impressive on Tyneside.
We think he could transform the side into one that would easily retain their Premier League status.
Saturday’s defeat to West Ham highlighted the need for a quality attacking midfielder, and there are few realistic options better than Loftus-Cheek.
That being said, even he might be a push. Newcastle is a long way from home for a player who has never played outside of London.
In all probability, in spite of his comments, he will go out on loan at some point, and even though it may seem unlikely on the face of it, the Magpies must go all out to snag their man.