By the time the World Cup break starts, Ruben Loftus-Cheek will likely be four matches away from equalling his total league minutes from last season. He did make 40 appearances across the season for Thomas Tuchel last term, but only truly felt like part of the squad after becoming a makeshift defender.
For the 26-year-old it has been one segment of a remarkable recovery. The Blues were ready to finally cut ties with him in the summer of 2021 after an average loan and it seemed that his time at Stamford Bridge had dwindled out. He's not yet found the goalscoring touch as a midfield No.8 that many thought he would have, and if there's one criticism of his game it's that goals are too infrequent still - but his role is massively increased.
Across both Tuchel and Graham Potter this campaign he has played an integral role moving across the pitch. Sometimes he's in the favoured No.8 spot, sometimes in a double-pivot, he's been used as a defensive midfielder and a lone No.6.
