Ruben Loftus-Cheek has hailed the impact that Chelsea legend’s John Terry and Frank Lampard both had on his development, and the midfielder revealed he hopes to add aspects from both of their style’s of play into his.
The pair will both be in opposite dugouts in Monday’s Championship play-off final between Lampard’s Derby and Aston Villa, whom Terry is assistant manager for.
And according to football.london, via ESPN, Loftus-Cheek believes they both played a big role in his development.
I don’t think Chelsea can ever replace John [Terry]. He was the best leader I’ve seen, not just on the pitch, off the pitch. He was always sorting stuff out and organising stuff to make it easier for us, and obviously on the pitch he was very vocal and that character at the back who would always organise stuff, and you would feel safe in a way. I have observed that and felt that feeling, that comes with experience. And hopefully I can be that person.
I don’t talk to him [Lampard] much. I saw him when I was injured last year and came back for rehab, he was doing his coaching with Jody Morris. I spoke to him there, just prior to the World Cup. He gave me some advice then, and when I was in the academy, there were videos on the Macs and I would go through how he would get in the box, and his timing, and that’s something I want to try and improve today.
Loftus-Cheek has been one of Chelsea’s standout performers this season, and would have no doubt been a contender to start in the Blues’ Europa League final against Arsenal had he not injured his achilles in a friendly 11 days ago.
