The Chelsea starlet will be sent out on loan next season, with Newcastle United a potential destination.
It’s about three years since Ruben Loftus-Cheek was first tipped to break into the first-team at Chelsea. However, he remains mired on the fringes with just 22 minutes of Premier League action to his name spread over three substitute appearances in 2016/17.
The powerful midfielder may still be just 21 years of age but there’s a growing feeling that he is wasting his own precious development time stuck on the Chelsea bench. Therefore, reports in the Daily Mail that The Blues could send him out on loan in the summer is surely a good move for each and every party.
Loftus-Cheek needs regular first-team action to fulfil his prodigious potential while The Blues could benefit from a new and improved midfielder returning to Stamford Bridge at the end of next season.
Newcastle United, meanwhile, could gain one of the most talented young English midfielders of his generation.
The Chronicle reported in January that The Magpies wanted to sign Loftus-Cheek on a short-term deal, only for Chelsea boss Antonio Conte to demand the England Under-21 international remain at Stamford Bridge.
However, Newcastle could find themselves second time lucky in the summer. The Daily Mail claim that Loftus-Cheek would only consider signing for a club that can offer Premier League football next season. And understandably so – it makes little sense for a player of his talent to spend a campaign in the division below.
Therefore, with Newcastle on the verge of returning to the top flight after one season in the Championship, St James’ Park will surely appear a far more attractive designation this time around.
Furthermore, Loftus-Cheek appears exactly the kind of player The Magpies need – a pacey, powerful midfielder with the ability to glide past challenges and score from deep.
And, whether a positive or not, his signing may also ensure Mike Ashley does not have to shell out £20 million for Fulham’s Tom Cairney, as reported by The Chronicle.
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