The former England boss paid a huge compliment to the 22-year-old by declaring he is potentially better than the former Germany star
Ruben Loftus-Cheek has "more strings to his bow" than Bayern Munich legend Michael Ballack and can excel for England against Panama, says former Three Lions boss Roy Hodgson.
Chelsea midfielder Loftus-Cheek played under Hodgson during a loan spell at Crystal Palace last season, scoring twice in 24 top-flight appearances as the Eagles recovered from an awful start under Frank de Boer to finish 11th in the Premier League.
The 22-year-old made his World Cup bow in an impressive cameo off the bench in England's opening 2-1 win over Tunisia in Group G and is set to play from the start against Panama with Dele Alli struggling with a thigh injury .