Willian has urged Chelsea to recall Ruben Loftus-Cheek from his loan spell at Crystal Palace. The Chelsea star has admitted he was baffled to learn Loftus-Cheek had been shipped out on loan. Antonio Conte has spent much of the season complaining about Chelsea’ lack of spending and small squad, but the Italian decided Loftus-Cheek was surplus to requirements.
And Willian believes Conte should reverse that decision and bring Loftus-Cheek back to the club. ‘I don’t know why he is at Crystal Palace now – he has to come back,’ Willian said.
‘A very good player. He is strong, he has quality. He has a great future.’ Since linking up with Palace, Loftus-Cheek has earned himself his first call-up to the England squad. And the midfielder put in a man of the match performance against Germany last Friday in his senior debut.
Gareth Southgate knows the player well having coached him at Under-21 level and he suggested the Chelsea players have been deliberately holding the youngster back. ‘He has been able to battle through difficult spells at Chelsea, training with senior players who recognise his talent so get into him in training,’ said Southgate. ‘Have they kept him in his place? Yes, I imagine they probably saw the threat. ‘This season, going out and playing, has helped him. ‘In the early season I saw him [for Palace] and he showed flashes of what we saw against Germany. I think he can affect big matches like he did.’
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