Diego Cavalieri

Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson has lavished praise on the club’s midfield star Ruben Loftus-Cheek. The Chelsea star on loan at the club helped them stay afloat last term. After the worst possible start in the league’s history – losing all seven games, without a single goal –, Palace fought back to finish 11th on the log at the end of last season.

The Blues loanee helped the Eagles fight on and retain their top flight status. His performance earned him a call-up to the Three Lions by coach Gareth Southgate last November. The 22-year old had his World Cup debut in the England vs. Tunisia game last week.

His manager Hodgson has praised the player for his hardwork and consistency, which has resulted in an increasing profile. The coach says Loftus-Cheek has more potential that German soccer legend Michael Ballack.

“I’d say he goes by people more than Ballack did. He’s maybe got more strings to his bow than even Ballack had,” Hodgson proclaimed.

He admitted that it was “a bold thing to say” but then he had seen the player use his “deceptive turn of pace” very well. He praised the ability of the player to receive the ball even in tight situations and come out very quickly. He opines that the skill makes Loftus-Cheek a good passer of the ball.

The former Three Lions boss has asked the player to add more goals to his game. He already described Loftus-Cheek as powerful going forward but he wants more contribution to goals from the talented player.

It is unknown if the player will return to Chelsea after a successful season. There are several clubs such as Newcastle United who are eager to tap up the player. Palace themselves could seek to get the player on a permanent basis.

Palace have been a bit busy in the dull transfer market – due to the World Cup – having released Diego Cavalieri and Chung-yong Lee. Cavalieri joined recently and finished the season with the club but then the club could not continue with the arrangement.

There have been calls for Christian Benteke to be let go after wasting too many chances upfront last season. With Besiktas interested, the Eagles could cut their losses early. Others like Jonny Williams, Jason Puncheon and Sullay Kaikai are also under the threat of being sacked this summer.