By Daily Sports on May 22, 2020

Ruben Loftus-Cheek believes Chelsea’s exciting young squad are capable of competing for major honours in the near future, with the 24-year-old hoping to aid that cause.

The England international was closing in on a return to action before English football shut down amid the coronavirus pandemic.

A serious Achilles problem has kept him stuck on the sidelines for 12 months, with Frank Lampard yet to be put in a position where he can call upon another home-grown star.

Loftus-Cheek has, however, worked hard to get himself back to full fitness and intends to be in contention for minutes whenever a green light is given for the Premier League to resume in 2020.

He told Chelsea’s official website: “I was back training before lockdown but only just so I’ve been doing a lot of what the other boys have been doing, general fitness stuff, but I’ve also had some individual responsibilities to keep my Achilles in check, just to stop any further injuries. It’s been calf workouts and stuff like that, just keeping my body strong for whenever we go back.”

The highly-rated midfielder added on his injury struggles: “It was frustrating for sure.

“I’ve put a lot of hard work into getting fit and had just finished what was kind of like my pre-season. I was training with the group and then doing my own stuff afterwards with the fitness coaches, which was really hard trying to get fit to play as quickly as possible.

“I’d been doing that for weeks and weeks and started to feel like I was very close but then lockdown came. It was frustrating but that’s life – I’ve just had to carry on keeping fit by myself.

“At the start of the season, I was still injured and at the start of my rehab but I didn’t know it would go on for so long.

“I thought it would be quicker so I had in my head if I can get back around midway through the season then I can hopefully build up my fitness and be sharp to be in contention for the Euros.

“Obviously it didn’t happen like that and it took me a long while to feel good in my body after my injury and have the confidence. Having the tournament next summer now is a good opportunity for me to stay injury-free, stay healthy and try to play my best football for when the time comes.” (Goal)

•PHOTO: Ruben Loftus-Cheek 

Source Daily Sports

Posted May 22, 2020

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