Conte sees bright future for Loftus-Cheek up front

Ruben Loftus-Cheek has been with Chelsea since the age of eight and rather than looking to offload the starlet, Blues manager Antonio Conte admits the 20-year-old is threatening to break the mould at Stamford Bridge.

Academy players and younger signings have often been shipped out on loan rather than joining the Blues’ first team, but with former managers Jose Mourinho and Guus Hiddink both declaring their admiration for Loftus-Cheek’s talent, he has been one of the few to stay on site in Cobham.

His goal against Scunthorpe last term was the first scored by a Chelsea player to have been with the club since before the age of 15 – excluding John Terry – since Carlton Cole a decade beforehand.

But last night marked another significant landmark for Loftus-Cheek as Conte played him in a more advanced role alongside Michy Batshuayi against Bristol Rovers in the EFL Cup.

Chelsea’s summer signing stole the headlines with two goals either side of Victor Moses’ strike in a 3-2 win for the Blues, but Loftus-Cheek impressed Conte and the home fans alike playing up front.

(Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images )

And having set up Chelsea’s third goal, rattled the post, and run experienced centre-back Peter Hartley ragged all evening, the Italian manager believes Loftus-Cheek belongs further up the pitch.

“I liked it because he played a good game with a good intensity,” said Conte. “He did what I wanted. In defensive situations he became a midfielder, when we were attacking he became a forward.

“I am happy with his commitment and his attitude. Ruben has great potential. He is a young player who can improve a lot.

“I see him every day and during the training sessions he wants to improve, he wants to work very hard and I like this.

“He has the right characteristics to play in this role [as a striker]. He is physically very strong, he is very good playing with his back to goal, he also has good technique, he sees the goal very well, and he has a good shot. He can play in this role.

“It’s right to give opportunities to young players like Loftus with great talent to stay with the first team and help us. It’s the same for [Ola] Aina.”