Tuchel likens Chelsea loanee to Michael Ballack

Will Ford
Ballack Chelsea

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has likened Blues loanee Ruben Loftus-Cheek to former Blues star Michael Ballack.

Loftus-Cheek has made just 82 appearances for Chelsea since his first-team debut in 2014, having graduated from the club’s academy.

He has spent the majority of the last two seasons on loan at Crystal Palace and Fulham, showing glimpses of the quality he possesses but lacking in consistency throughout those spells.


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But Tuchel says he has been a “fan” of the 25-year-old for a number of years and said he reminds him of former Chelsea and Bayern Munich great Ballack.

Asked whether Loftus-Cheek will return to Stamford Bridge this summer, Tuchel said: “It is not decided yet.

“I was quite a fan of him when he was even younger and he came though the academy and started playing professional football.

“He reminded me a little bit in his style of play and movement of Michael Ballack.

“There were some links about him moving to Germany – we were well aware of him. I don’t know why things didn’t work out but he’s doing well on loan now and leaving him footprint.

“I love to work with players but I need a direct impression and we don’t have that yet. I don’t know what his ideas are or what the club are thinking. We haven’t made a decision yet.”

Another Chelsea academy product – Billy Gilmour – has remained at Stamford Bridge but has been used sparingly by Tuchel since he arrived at the club.

But with Mateo Kovacic out injured, Gilmour could be handed a chance against Fulham on Saturday, with Jorginho and N’Golo Kante certain starters in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final clash against Real Madrid on Wednesday.

Tuchel said of Gilmour’s chances: “Could be tomorrow but it is not decided. N’Golo feels good, Jorginho looks good.

“We miss Kova a lot, I have even the feeling that Jorginho and N’Golo can even step up in doing everything to recover as fast as possible.

“They both looked good in training. The decision will be made later today or tomorrow morning. Billy will be in the squad tomorrow.”