Chelsea's Loftus-Cheek says injury battle was 'toughest hurdle yet'

Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek admits battling to return from a serious Achilles injury while dealing with back problems has been a draining experience. Loftus-Cheek has been sidelined since suffering a torn Achilles tendon in a Chelsea friendly against New England Revolution in Boston last May. 24-year-old England international was close to returning to action when Premier League was suspended earlier this month because of coronavirus. In an Instagram video discussing his long road to recovery, Loftus-Cheek said power of positive thinking eventually helped him rehab Achilles and handle his long-standing back problem.

Cheek says injury battle was 'toughest hurdle yet'

"My physical presence, how powerful I am, is my biggest strength," Loftus-Cheek said.

"But my body is also my weakness. And that's just what I have to man.

"I have to man my body, and that's what I've learned a lot about. So it's working smart, working hard but listening to your body as well.

"Be aware of your journey and pay attention to it. mental side of being injured is hard.

"Going through tough times it hardens you, and makes you a better player.

"I have to have mindset of t regretting those things. I have those moments: 'who would I be w if I hadn't had those injuries?' 

"re's a right way to think, and a wrong way to think. You have to practise, it's a skill, to think properly.

"I just really didn't want to rush. hardest part for me (of being injured) has been actually watching games."