CHEEK FRIES RICE
‘Incredible’ Ruben eclipses Irons star Declan & gives Parker glimmer of hope
IN desperate times, you look for whatever flimsy ray of hope you can find. And these are desperate times for Fulham.
But the Cottagers, in theshape of Ruben Loftus-Cheek, may have discovered a glimmer of light that is growing in brightness at just the right time.
Thousands of words have been written about the Chelsea academy graduate over the course of his young career.
About how he is still yet to fulfil his potential, about the 13 months out he suffered after rupturing his Achilles tendon in 2019, about his perennial back problems, and how the pandemic disrupted his comeback.
This match was LoftusCheek’s 19th appearance for Fulham since joining them on loan from Chelsea.
It has been a spell of fits and starts, but gradually we have begun to see the surging runs, the quick feet, the strength and the intelligence that made him an England World Cup star in 2018.
But let’s not get carried away. Fulham still lie eight points from safety after only drawing a game they desperately needed to win.
And they have won only two matches out of 22 this season. There are 16 games left – it is not a bright outlook.
But Loftus-Cheek, now 25, dominated this match.
Up against another former Chelsea academy graduate in West Ham’s Declan Rice, he ran the show. His passes set up chances, his runs carried Fulham upfield, his skill shone.
He is an international-class player and, if he stays fit, could be the key to survival.
Cottagers boss Scott Parker said: “That was a performance from a boy which was nothing short of incredible. He was fantastic. Do I see a progression? One hundred per cent I do.
“When Ruben came in, he was a bit slow – understandably, he’d been out for some time. But I see a boy with huge quality and developing in the right way. He’s a good kid who wants to learn.”
Parker still feels there is room for improvement – and LoftusCheek did miss Fulham’s best chance, when Ademola Lookman played him in and he hit the side-netting. But his allround play offered real hope.
West Ham looked tired after their midweek win at Aston Villa, although Tomas Soucek thumped the bar with a header.
The same player’s incredibly harsh dismissal in injury time overshadowed everything. But Loftus-Cheek still glittered in the gloom.