Roy’s still a Cheeky dreamer
ROY HODGSON admits Ruben Loftus-cheek played a huge role in the Crystal Palace miracle that restored his reputation as a manager – and he’d have him back in a heartbeat.
Palace’s boss shook the hand of Chelsea’s Loftuscheek at the end of the last campaign as his seasonlong loan finished – and laid down the welcome mat if he ever wants to return.
The pair can expect to meet again today at Stamford Bridge, and Hodgson said: “He was a star for us, and will be a star of the future.”
After his England reign ending in humiliation by Iceland, and 14 months out, Hodgson steered Palace to become the first top-flight club in more than a century to avoid relegation despite losing their first seven games.
The 71-year-old guided the Eagles 11 points clear of the drop zone, with Loftus-cheek’s help.
Hodgson recalled: “Ruben made an enormous impression, played extremely well, and was a decisive figure towards the end of the season when we started to really climb up the league from around March on.
“It was no secret we wanted him back, but it was also clear that the new Chelsea manager – who hadn’t even been appointed at that time – would want to review the decision that the previous manager had made on him.
“When Ruben left I said to him, ‘I’m now expecting you to go to Russia to do extremely well for England. I’ll be surprised if you come back here, but you know you’re always welcome’. I think that’s what he hoped to hear from me, and expected.”