Enjoy Tuchel's New Assignment, Loftus-Cheek: Slight Differences, But Still Similar Characteristics

JAKARTA - Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek is enjoying his new position at full-back under manager Thomas Tuchel after impressing in the last two games.

Loftus-Cheek started last weekend's Premier League clash at Southampton from the right and was instrumental in all four goals as Chelsea won 6-0.

The 26-year-old then excelled for the same role at the Santiago Bernabeu as Chelsea beat Real Madrid 3-2 in the second leg of the Champions League quarter-finals, although the result was not enough to take them through to the next round.

"There is a slight difference between the two games, but it still has similar characteristics for the role I'm playing," Loftus-Cheek told the club's website.

"I had never played right-back before, but this was a role I believed I could play and that's what I did.

"In midfield you don't have to have too much space to open up and dribble and that's been one of my big strengths. In my current position it sometimes allows me to open myself up past opponents and use my running power. So I enjoy that."

Chelsea will face Crystal Palace in an all-London clash in the FA Cup semi-final on Sunday.