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Ruben Loftus-Cheek had a frustrating season after returning to Chelsea after being loaned to Crystal Palace.
During his stay at the Eagles, the 23-year-old won a spot in the English team and received many accolades from those who regularly watched him at Selhurst Park.
Blues fans were waiting for the English international to come back from the World Cup and then the first Chelsea team, but that was not the case.
After impressing in pre-season, Ross Barkley was the man Maurizio Sarri had thrown to the left of the three in the middle of the field, before Mateo Kovacic got fit to his life thanks to his Real Madrid loan .
He dismissed Loftus-Cheek and, to date, he played only one match in the Premier League during the campaign, the defeat 2-1 against Wolves Molineux.
By the time of Christmas, it seemed that Loftus-Cheek would get his place in the team after impressive performances. However, he started the England Cup win against Nottingham Forest, but he had to be withdrawn in the first period due to the reappearance of his back injury.
Loftus-Cheek was clearly devastated by taking the tunnel and the 5-0 win of the night on Dynamo Kiev was the first time that he had started a match since that day.
It was also the first time that he finished 90 minutes before Christmas, and he was showing Sarri how he could complete his Chelsea team.
With Barkley or Kovacic in the middle of the field, one of the problems that the Blues had from this position is a lack of creativity and help the attackers.
Kovacic has not yet scored for the Blues, while Barkley has scored three times in the league.
But it's not just their statistics in front of the goal that is worrying. They tell only half a story.
It's the fact that when teams are difficult to decompose, as was the case with the Wolves last weekend, no player seems to be able to do it.
Kovacic has not shown the expected creativity of a Real player, while Barkley has seen his decent game flashes become confused with a lack of self-confidence.
But Loftus-Cheek is a different entity. It's hard to judge him completely on the 5-0 win against Dynamo, because really Grimsby Town would have probably given them a good game.
(Image: Mike Hewitt / Getty Images)
However, you can judge him on his instinct. When Loftus-Cheek picks up the ball, he is still impatient. Either the ball at his feet, or in the heart of the defense, or looking for a pbad, but especially not aside.
When Dynamo gave him space, and they gave him a lot of space, it was too easy for him. He shone brilliantly, beat his man impressively and was sometimes unplayable.
The missing link in Chelsea's midfield was this motivation. Barkley and Kovacic have their qualities, but the added advantage and offensive gift of Loftus-Cheek is proof that it is the missing link that Sarri must use now to get back into shape.
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