Despite the Premier League transfer window closing before the beginning of the 2018/19 season over two weeks ago, top-flight players are still able to move abroad to certain countries where the windows are yet to shut. Fringe players are desperate to look for loan deals and one of those is reportedly Ruben Loftus-Cheek of Chelsea, who is in search of regular first-team football.
The 22-year-old achieved that last term just across London with Crystal Palace, where he featured 24 times in the league. Roy Hodgson spoke of his admiration for the England international and claimed that he would’ve signed him for the Eagles over the summer given half the chance. However, Maurizio Sarri’s reason for keeping him was because Loftus-Cheek is part of his short and long-term plans.
Even with the rumours of the Blues academy product wanting to move within the next week, the Italian boss has maintained his stance that his star youngster is going nowhere. The lack of game time in the two opening league games is thought to have frustrated the six-foot-three midfielder following just 22 minutes against Huddersfield and an absence from the matchday squad for the clash with Arsenal.
With the signing of Jorginho in July, the chance of a starting berth was significantly reduced for Loftus-Cheek but he has supposedly been reassured that if he fights hard enough, a place in the first-team could be his. It’s hard to imagine that he will be preferred to either N’Golo Kante or their new £57 million man this season, which is why a temporary move might be beneficial to all parties.
Schalke are the only team to have expressed concrete interest so far but with news of the World Cup star wanting out, the European sides are expected to come in their numbers which could leave Chelsea in a battle to secure his short-term future. The Blues shouldn’t see him as a first-team necessity over the coming campaign as a loan move will bring him closer to his incredible potential whilst also maintaining his happiness.
