Antonio Conte’s Use of Ruben Loftus-Cheek Shows How He’s Innovating at Chelsea

LONDON — It’s been a difficult task to attempt criticism of Antonio Conte in any form since he took charge at Chelsea this summer. The Italian has entered the fray at Stamford Bridge with something resembling the Midas touch.

After charming journalists at his opening press conference, Conte has changed Chelsea’s system to give them a renewed strength. Eden Hazard is looking back to his best under the new boss, while two wins from two in the Premier League has given hope for a title challenge in 2016/17.

Speak of Ruben Loftus-Cheek, however, and eyebrows are raised. From the moment Conte first selected the Chelsea youngster in pre-season against Rapid Vienna, we’ve been questioning what his plans are. Loftus-Cheek has suddenly become a striker under Conte, not playing as a midfielder or anywhere near his natural position. Instead, he’s supporting Diego Costa these days.

On Tuesday evening, Loftus-Cheek partnered Michy Batshuayi in a 3-2 win against Bristol Rovers in the EFL Cup. Unlike pre-season, when Loftus-Cheek seemed to struggle with his new responsibilities, he was excellent. Indeed, it was probably the 20-year-old’s best performance in a Chelsea shirt.

Loftus-Cheek was back to using his body in the way we saw him do so effectively in youth football. He was bursting past players, putting his physicality to good use as he bamboozled defenders. After 21 minutes, he almost scored the game’s opening goal, smashing his long-range effort back off the upright after powering beyond Rovers’ Peter Hartley.

That moment made us sit up and take notice. Loftus-Cheek looked a completely different player to the one we have seen before. Regardless of the opposition, he looked senior.

After training for six weeks or so with Conte, it was a sign that the manager’s methods are beginning to take hold. Back in Vienna against Rapid in July, Loftus-Cheek had spent barely a week with Conte, so his new position was always going to be difficult to adapt to.

Fast-forward to late August, though, and he’s proving us wrong about those early doubts. The signs are there that Conte’s developing Loftus-Cheek into a fine talent—just one we didn’t expect him to become.

Loftus-Cheek with a really good half for #Chelsea, maybe his best so far. Needs to find consistency now.

— Chelsea HQ (@Chelsea_HQ) August 23, 2016

As if to undermine our early assumptions all the more, Conte revealed on Tuesday that we’ve been wrong with how we’ve understood this new …

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