Rumoured to have been courted by Barcelona, Loftus-Cheek is considered one of the best prospects to come through the academy ranks at Chelsea. He's very tall and immensely composed on the ball, something of a heir apparent to Michael Ballack if his career goes as well as it could. A natural born captain, he last season guided the Chelsea to victory in the FA Youth Cup, forming a robust double pivot with Jordan Houghton in a thrilling final at Stamford Bridge as the Blues came back from a 3-2 deficit in the first leg to win 7-6 on aggregate. He hasn't had much experience in the first team, though when given a chance by Rafael Benitez in the post-season - yes, post-season - tour of America at the end of 2012/13, he excelled against Manchester City to such an extent that even their exalted talent resorted to kicking him off the field. The only things standing in his way of a path straight to the first team squad are that lack of experience and a shortage of stamina, with his performances often taking a dip in the latter stages of the season. Nevertheless, such things will naturally improve with age and it would be a huge shame - a 6'4 shame, to be precise - were Loftus-Cheek not given his chance to prove himself in Chelsea blue at the first team level.
28-year old English writer with a borderline obsessive passion for films, videogames, Chelsea FC, incomprehensible words and indefensible puns. Follow me on Twitter if you like infrequent outbursts of absolute drivel.
