Champions League

ENGLAND’S forgotten man for four years, Ruben Loftus-Cheek might just be timing a late World Cup run to perfection.And you can bet he’s one of the few buzzing that it’s this winter rather than next summer.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek is making his mark back in the Chelsea team and was trusted at the BernabeuCredit: AP
The midfielder may well be in Gareth Southgate’s thoughts ahead of the World CupCredit: EPA
Chances are that he would not make it if it was in July.
Yet what we do know is that Gareth Southgate was a massive fan.
And certainly on tonight’s evidence, it would come as no surprise if the England boss had again started pencilling his name on a couple of lists here and there.
There is plenty more work to do if Loftus-Cheek, 26, is to force his way on to the plane for Qatar.
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But with seven months to go, time is on his side — and his form is undoubtedly now heading in the right direction.
Handed three starts at the 2018 World Cup, the smart money back then was on Loftus-Cheek being one of the first names on the teamsheet in Qatar.
Crippling injuries and a painfully slow recovery to reach those heights again soon put paid to that.
When on loan at relegated Fulham last season, England couldn’t have been further from the radar. Forget the Three Lions, you wondered if he would ever play for Chelsea again.
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So, nearly 12 months on, it’s been a hell of a turnaround.
That Tuchel trusted Loftus-Cheek on the biggest stage of all – surely to the surprise of even his biggest admirers – says it all.
Was it perfect? Absolutely not.
But playing in an unnatural hybrid role out on the right, in the hostile Bernabeu cauldron, Loftus-Cheek proved beyond doubt that he is back for good.
While the rest of Chelsea’s starters are well established in environments like this after last season’s heroics, Loftus-Cheek is not there yet.
A week before his team-mates were lifting the Champions League in Porto, on loan at Fulham, he was hauled off at half-time with the Cottagers losing their last game of the season.
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However, Tuchel is clearly a believer, with tonight his 30th appearance of the season.
There have been ups and downs during the campaign, but this should prove a watershed moment in his Blues career.
Playing in down the right – sometimes full-back, sometimes centre mid, sometimes flying winger – it was a shaky start.
Passes went awry, promising situations were fluffed and, frankly, Loftus-Cheek looked a little lost.
Thomas Tuchel barely stopped barking and gesticulating in his direction.
But on this sink or swim night, Loftus-Cheek refused to go under.
‘CRUCIAL ROLE’
Nearer to the left than right flank for the Blues’ opener, it was his – slightly heavy, granted – touch to Timo Werner before Mason Mount was played in.
His run infield created the extra man and Mount was in in a flash.
Loftus-Cheek settled from there, playing a crucial role in defence and attack as the Blues raced into a 3-0 lead.
It didn’t all go his way – this was no worldie performance.
But his athleticism and physicality give Chelsea a different engine in the middle of the park, and Tuchel’s plan to move him central nullified Luka Modric and Toni Kroos for large parts.
When Loftus-Cheek watches it back, there will be moments going forward that he will know he could have done better when delivering the cross or final pass.
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Tactical flexibility and the ability to play across a number of positions don’t help everyone, but it could be the key to his winter.
Hit the ground running next season and there could be a fair few more chapters of his England story to write yet.
Loftus-Cheek struggled in the early parts and Tuchel was constantly barking orders at himCredit: Getty
Last season he was struggling on loan at Fulham but now he is starting in crunch Blues matchesCredit: Getty More

CHELSEA produced a top performance but it was not enough to beat a Real Madrid side that just knows how to win.There were a number of standout displays with Antonio Rudiger, Mateo Kovacic and Reece James the pick of the bunch.
Antonio Rudiger headed in Chelsea’s second and was a powerhouse throughoutCredit: Getty
Mason Mount curled in a brilliant finish to put his side 1-0 up in the 15th minuteCredit: Getty
Timo Werner thought he had scored Chelsea’s winner before Real Madrid equalised on aggregateCredit: Reuters
Mason Mount continued his good form with a stylish finish before crossing in from a corner to assist Antonio Rudiger.
Timo Werner then produced a brilliant solo goal to put Chelsea 3-0 up and it was a well deserved lead.
Chelsea even had a Marcos Alonso strike ruled out for handball before Werner struck but Real managed to dig their way out of a hole.
A sublime cross from Luka Modric allowed Rodrygo to equalise on aggregate before Karim Benzema popped up in extra-time to head in a winner.
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Here is how SunSport’s Kealan Hughes rated the Chelsea display.
Edouard Mendy – 6
One good save of note to keep out a Toni Kroos free-kick.
Could do nothing about either goal with both Rodrygo and Benzema finishing well after being left in too much space.
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Reece James – 9
Started on the right-hand side of central defence and got done by a lovely bit of skill by Vinicius Jr early on.
But he did not let a booking affect him and did an outstanding job of containing the tricky Brazilian.
He supported Ruben Loftus-Cheek well with much of Chelsea’s good play coming down their right flank – and came close to scoring with a snapshot in the second half.
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Thiago Silva – 7
Kept Real dangerman Karim Benzema quiet for the most part and provided the experience and leadership required in the absence of captain Cesar Azpilicueta.
He did, however, play a weak ball out from defence which resulted in Real’s winner – though he could blame N’Golo Kante for not reacting quickly enough.
Antonio Rudiger – 9
Had a relatively comfortable night with Real offering little in attack until going 3-0 down.
He powered home a header from a corner to level things up on aggregate and also made an amazing last-ditch interception to stop Vinicius going through on goal.
Could have kept a closer eye on Benzema when he scored his extra-time winner.
Marcos Alonso – 7
Will feel rightly aggrieved after his goal was ruled out for handball after a consultation with VAR.
Got into the game more as it progressed but could have been a little tighter to Rodrygo when he scored Real’s equaliser.
Thomas Tuchel’s gameplan worked perfectly before Real’s fightbackCredit: AFP
Karim Benzema proved to be the difference again with an extra-time winnerCredit: Getty
Ruben Loftus-Cheek – 6
A bold move from Tuchel to pick the midfielder at right wing-back but he provided a threat with some powerful runs from deep.
Faded as the game went on but continued to help James deal with Vinicius.
N’Golo Kante – 5
An improvement on his first leg performance when he was substituted at half-time but still a little sloppy in possession at times.
Never was that more evident when he carelessly lost the ball in the build-up to Real’s first goal – allowing Carlo Ancelotti’s side to find that all-important aggregate equaliser.
Arguably a little to blame for Real’s winner too as he was a little flat-footed when waiting to receive Silva’s pass out from the back, with Vinicius breaking before assisting Benzema for the winner.
Matteo Kovacic – 8
He was the heartbeat of Chelsea’s midfield as Blues dominated possession at the Bernabeu.
Kept his side ticking over and dominated a Real midfield consisting of Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Casemiro – a complete reverse of the first leg.
Mason Mount – 8
Finished off a brilliant Chelsea move in spectacular fashion to give his team the lead in the 15th minute.
Also provided the corner for Rudiger’s goal and never stopped pressing when Real were on the ball.
Timo Werner – 8
Assisted Mount for the opening goal and posed a threat not just with his pace but with his running on the ball.
Was quieter in the second half until he scored a stunning solo effort, beating two players before firing past Thibaut Courtois.
Kai Havertz – 7
Quiet in the first half despite all of Chelsea’s possession but his movement caused problems and allowed space for Mount and Werner to exploit.
Could have done a little better with a half chance when played through in the second half by Mount.
He also missed a fantastic chance with a free header late on in extra-time.
Subs
Christian Pulisic (for Werner, 83′) – 5
Had two golden chances to win it late on in normal time but twice volleyed over the bar from close range.
Hakim Ziyech (for Kante, 100′) – 4
Booked not long after coming on and did not make the impact Tuchel hoped for when he decided to bring him on.
Jorginho (for Kovacic, 105′) – 6
Saw plenty of the ball but was unable to create anything with Real sitting deep in defence for the second half of extra-time.
The ball fell to him nicely twice in the box but his first effort was blocked and the second he dragged wide.
Saul Niguez (for Loftud-Cheek, 105′) – 4
Like Jorginho he came on at a time of desperation for Chelsea but failed to influence the game in any capacity. More