Chelsea received a major boost to their season last week, when England man Ruben Loftus-Cheek signed a new long term contract at Stamford Bridge.
The announcement of the new deal came just days after the appointment of club legend Frank Lampard as head coach, taking over from Maurizio Sarri, after he left to take up the role at Italian giants Juventus.
Loftus-Cheek had started to establish himself in the Chelsea team at the end of last season, starting six of the final seven Premier League games. But, he suffered an injury setback in the post-season friendly with MLS team New England Revolution, which resulted in him missing the Europa League final victory over Arsenal. The 23-year-old is not expected to be fit for the opening games of the 2019/20 season.
The appointment of Lampard as head coach has been seen as a positive move for the younger players at the club, especially given that the Blues are currently in the midst of a two window transfer ban issued by FIFA.
Lampard's past comments about Loftus-Cheek will also give the midfielder another reasons that he will be a big part of the new head coach's plans upon his return from injury.
"Ruben is often used as an advanced midfielder, but he is neat and tidy enough on the ball to play as a link-man deeper in midfield," Lampard wrote on the BBC Sport website ahead of England's World Cup game against Panama last summer.
"He can do both sides of the game, which makes him a great weapon for England boss Gareth Southgate to have, because having him on the pitch does not compromise the team in attack or defence.
"When he linked up with the Chelsea first team as a kid, Ruben was very quiet and always very respectful. His attitude and work ethic was first class, which I love to see."
Although, ahead of the World Cup group match, the now Chelsea boss did highlight one area that the Blues player could improve.
"The next step for him is to make a drastic impact on this kind of game, and by that I mean getting goals, and making assists.
"For that to happen he needs a bit more ruthlessness, which is probably the final thing to add to his game - Ruben is a nice boy, but he has to be maybe not always quite so nice."
Loftus-Cheek is continuing his rehab after undergoing surgery on a torn achilles tendon, and will hope to make his debut under Frank Lampard in the early part of the 2019/20 season.
