Wilkins: Loftus-Cheek can match Dele Alli

Former Chelsea player, coach and caretaker manager Ray Wilkins has made a bold claim concerning the potential of on-loan Blues midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek.

Wilkins, now a pundit, has claimed that Loftus-Cheek can be as good as Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Dele Alli, after the Chelsea midfielder was called up to Gareth Southgate’s England squad for friendlies against Germany and Brazil.

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Dele Alli’s absence from that squad through injury may have played a part in Loftus-Cheek’s call-up, but we shouldn’t let that distract from the Chelsea man’s ability.

Via the Daily Star, Wilkins said:

This fella has great technique

He’s got two feet, he’s got energy and pace, he can score a goal and he can create goals

Had he played as many games as Dele Alli through the leagues…

I honestly do believe Loftus-Cheek has the ability to be equally as good as him, no question about it.

Alli, who is three months younger than Loftus-Cheek, is a regular for club and country, and has played 198 senior club games in his career, as well as having turned out 21 times for England.

Loftus-Cheek has played only 40 senior games — and is to make his England debut against Germany on Friday night.

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