Ruben Loftus-Cheek has revealed that Graham Potter has brought freshness to Chelsea since arriving in September, and the midfielder believes his teammates have benefitted from individual chats with his head coach.
Loftus-Cheek has started five of Potter's eight matches in charge so far and only missed out on making an appearance once this season, in Thomas Tuchel's final match against Dinamo Zagreb. The Cobham academy product has maintained a consistent presence in Chelsea's side across the two coaches and could be considered the Blues' standout central midfielder this season.
The 27-year-old believes he is starting to get a greater understanding of how to play with Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic as a result and has appreciated the role of conversations with Potter to help him kick on.
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Loftus-Cheek said: "When he first came in, we had a few chats on where he sees me playing, what he thinks I can achieve as a footballer, and it's good to have that chat when he comes in, and you know where you see yourself, and it gives you a good platform. It feels very fresh when he comes in, and I think he's had these chats with every player, and I think every player has benefitted."
He added: "It's a long while – 2019 – since [I was playing in midfield under Sarri]. It's good playing in midfield with Jorgi and Mateo and finding a balance with them, getting a better understanding of how they play. It's been good playing with them this season. This is the most I've played for Chelsea consistently, and that's another positive. When I look at my career, I'm trying to pick up as many positives as I can because it's been tough for me."
The season will not come without its challenges, however. One may be the tactical aptitude to play under Potter, with the former Brighton manager unafraid to change systems over the course of 90 minutes. That is not something that Loftus-Cheek is phased by.
He said: "Individually, it doesn't affect me. I'm quite a versatile player, so if I need to change position or tweak a position, I'm comfortable with it, and I think, as a team, we're comfortable with it. We've got some really good players who are used to it. We're top players. We have to be able to adapt and change to a game. If the manager asks us to do it, we have to do it to the best of our ability."
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