The Sun is reporting that Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez is keen to bring 20 year-old England U21 central midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek (what a name) on loan for the rest of the season, with West Ham also said to b be interested in the player..
The 6ft 3ins tall Lewisham born player has only appeared 3 times for the Chelsea first team so far this season and needs some playing time to develop and he seems to be rated highly by his new manager at the Blues – Antonio Conte.
The youngster has played at all levels for the England Youth sides including 13 times for the England U21 side with 5 goals, but has been troubled with injuries this season.
20 year-old Ruben Loftus-Cheek – available for loan deal?
This is what Antonio Conte has said this about the youngster:
“Ruben has great potential and it’s important for him to show it,”
“Now he is in our squad. This season he’s had a few injuries but now he is free.
“I’ll speak to the club and take the best decision for the player.”
And the Italian news outlet TuttoMercatoWeb reported last month that West Ham manager Slaven Bilic was keen on taking him on loan to the Hammers.
Ruben made his debut for Chelsea two years ago when Jose Mourinho was manager (in December 2014), when he replaced Cesc Fabregas for the final few minutes of a Champions League group match against Sporting Lisbon at Stamford Bridge.
But Rafa Benitez doesn’t do loan deals unless he can sign the player during or at the end of the loan deal.
And he isn’t usually in the business of making other team’s players better and then letting them return to their clubs at the end of their loan spells.
However, Ruben is the type of talented young player Rafa wants to bring to Newcastle, but it would need to be on a permanent basis or a loan deal with an option to buy.
The central midfielder is highly thought of at Chelsea, so we would be surprised if the reports are true that Newcastle are interested.
It is an area of the side that Newcastle need to strengthen either next month or in the summer – to bring in a creative and talented central midfielder.
Comments welcome.
23 comments so far
Novocastrian66
Dec 19, 2016 at 8:30 PM
Comment #1We should get him in if possible.
Tsunki
Dec 19, 2016 at 8:39 PM
Comment #2Have we run out of milk again? I’ll just go out and get some. Won’t be long.
Jib
Dec 19, 2016 at 8:50 PM
Comment #3Beware forecasts of high scoring games
Essex Geordie Bill
Dec 19, 2016 at 9:10 PM
Comment #4Is he a possible future signing, if not then let’s not improve him for Chelsea for next season.
Ron Knee
Dec 19, 2016 at 9:29 PM
Comment #5Barkley lucky!
Novocastrian66
Dec 19, 2016 at 9:33 PM
Comment #6Nowt on Shelvey yet. Does anyone know when a decision will be announced?
Ron Knee
Dec 19, 2016 at 9:37 PM
Comment #7Novo
It’s continuing tomorrow.
Novocastrian66
Dec 19, 2016 at 9:39 PM
Comment #8I haven’t seen the tackle Ron but I’ve read the live feeds and everyone seems to have the same opinion. Refs are missing too many leg breakers. Shocking how they will flash yellow cards for the most innocuous of challenges but they will not show red for potential leg breakers. Clueless.
Novocastrian66
Dec 19, 2016 at 9:41 PM
Comment #9Good grief the FA are dragging this out. It cannot be cut and dried as they would have made a judgement by now. It’s dragging on longer than the O J trial!
Ron Knee
Dec 19, 2016 at 9:44 PM
Comment #10It was a bad tackle, Novo. Wait ’til you see it!
Average_Contents
Dec 19, 2016 at 10:02 PM
Comment #11Nearly snapped hendersons ankle. Unlucky Barkley lol.
International break Tsunki….
Jail for Ashley
Dec 19, 2016 at 10:08 PM
Comment #12If I had a pound for everytime A_C said international break I’d have £23.
Tsunki
Dec 19, 2016 at 10:20 PM
Comment #13Right I’m back. Ok, get the kettle . . . damn! Forgot the digestives. Five minutes….
Jail for Ashley
Dec 19, 2016 at 10:28 PM
Comment #14lesh,
If you’re about the Laphroaig 10 year old seems to be a much smoother blend than the Talisker 10 and a lot more peaty.
Dummet and his ability and suitability for this division was a talking point on Totall Sport tonight.
I can’t actually believe that aomeone suggested selling Gayle in January on here.
Tsunki
Dec 19, 2016 at 10:48 PM
Comment #15Lesh ignore Jail. Laphroaig 10 isn’t a blend and while Talisker may have a bit of fire in the finish, its not as raw and brackish as the Laphroaig. Both good peaty inlays but the Talisker every time. If you really want a nice Laphroaig, the QA Cask is a good shout.
For me though the Ardbeg. Although a bit pricey it’s a quality bbq smokey malt. For me the Corryvreckan or the Uigedail are bang on.
Tsunki
Dec 19, 2016 at 10:49 PM
Comment #16Islays not inlays. Anyway, how many sugars?
Tsunki
Dec 19, 2016 at 11:08 PM
Comment #17Of course you could try a caol ila and Costco have been selling Lagavulin 16 year old for ages at mid £30 mark
lesh
Dec 19, 2016 at 11:24 PM
Comment #18Tsunki
You know your malts and as is, I share your impeccable taste for Islays.
Lagavullen 16 for £30 is a helluva offer – assuming that’s not for a 50cl.
As far as Talisker and Laphroig’s concerned, I’ll drink ’em if they’re the only singles on the table, but I much prefer the all-round tasting sensations from Islays. The better the bottle, the better the buzz.
There’s nice one my local puts on and that’s Auchentoshan, a lowland malt) which I find more than palatable along with the Singleton.
And Suntory (I’ve always felt that the words sun and tory together’s a tad unfortunate), have bought out Sipsmith gin. What next?
Enough
lesh
Dec 19, 2016 at 11:28 PM
Comment #19Jail
I most certainly will not ignore your comments about the Skye single malts. Taste’s a personal thing and we’re all entitled to opine.
You carry on enjoying your malts.
bettyswallocks
Dec 20, 2016 at 12:08 AM
Comment #20Gentlemen….. For those who like to partake in a wee dram, you must try the Scapa Glansa. Along with a smokey flavour it also boasts a vanillaey almost creamy taste. It really is very special.
bettyswallocks
Dec 20, 2016 at 12:14 AM
Comment #21Tsunki…… You obviously drink a lot. When I say a lot I don’t mean to imply that you have an issue . Just meant to say a lot as in what would be appropriate for an obvious connoisseur like your good self.
lesh
Dec 20, 2016 at 1:12 AM
Comment #22Bettys
Had a look at Master of Malt’s site for comments about Scapa Glansa and it sounds deeelicious. 🙂
Buy Whisky Online | Single Malt Whisky & More – Master of Malt https://www.masterofmalt.com/
Dingo†®
Dec 20, 2016 at 1:37 AM
Comment #23Scapa is my favorite malt as well, closely followed by Ardbeg, Jura and Glenfarclass