Loftus-Cheek starred for Palace last season, but has hardly been given the chance to do the same at Chelsea.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s stock in the summer had never been higher after breaking into the England side after an excellent season on loan from Chelsea at Crystal Palace – but fast forward a few months, and it has all changed.
Loftus-Cheek, 22, has been made to wait on the sidelines at Chelsea, managing just 33 minutes of Premier League football this season under new manager Maurizio Sarri.
The Chelsea academy product had starred for England at the World Cup with Gareth Southgate’s side, after earning a place in the 23-man squad following his 25 appearances for Palace last term.
But he was barred from leaving Stamford Bridge in the summer, With Sarri of the belief that he can contribute to the first team. But Loftus-Cheek would have been expecting plenty more game time.
It has angered Crystal Palace fans, too, who were desperate to see the powerful midfielder return to Selhurst Park for another season’s loan or indeed a permanent transfer.
However, Loftus-Cheek remained at Chelsea and after only three appearances this season – two off the bench – Palace fans expressed their frustration at Chelsea on Twitter for deciding to keep the midfielder.
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