OPINION
Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez is reportedly a big fan of Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek and the club should act on that to try bring him to St James’ Park next season.
The 6ft 3in colossus has been on loan at Crystal Palace this season and received widespread praise, with many tipping him to be included in England’s 23-man World Cup squad.
He is a product of the Chelsea academy and is reportedly earning £60,000-a-week at Stamford Bridge.
The Chronicle reports that Benitez likes the 22-year-old and would be in his mind if he gets to build a dream team at Newcastle next season.
This is where the Magpies need to try show some ambition over the summer and try to land the central midfielder, with a loan switch from Chelsea seeming the most likely scenario.
Loftus-Cheek is a technically gifted player that could light up St James’ Park and become an idol with supporters if he gets a full belt under his season at the club.
The midfield enforcer is a huge presence in the centre of the park and has dazzled at times during his spell with Palace.
He has an attacking edge to his game and can play in more advanced positions, scoring two goals and supplying five assists in 24 appearances on loan at Palace.
Newcastle certainly could do with some more depth in midfield ahead of the next season and Benitez would surely be delighted to have a playmaker of Loftus-Cheek’s ability in his ranks.
They should try to take him for the 2018/19 campaign and the English rising star has unheralded potential waiting to be tapped into.
