Simon Jordan believes West Ham is a better move for Ruben Loftus-Cheek than Crystal Palace

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Crystal Palace would love to bring Ruben Loftus-Cheek back but Premier League rivals West Ham United are keen on the Chelsea starlet.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek was barely getting a look in for Chelsea earlier in the season with manager Maurizio Sarri questioning whether he had the tactical intelligence to play in the former Napoli boss’ system.

That was then, however, and things have certainly changed of late. Loftus-Cheek has suddenly forced his way into Sarri’s plans with a hat-trick against BATE Borisov in the Europa League and another strike in the 4-0 away win at Burnley.

But that has not stopped West Ham from trying to take the England international on loan. According to The Mirror, The Hammers want to bring Loftus-Cheek to the London Stadium with the offer of regular Premier League starts on the table.

Though surely Crystal Palace would be in the equation too. The 22-year-old was outstanding during a loan spell at Selhurst Park in 2017/18, forcing his way into England’s World Cup squad, and manager Roy Hodgson has admitted that he’d jump at the chance to bring Loftus-Cheek back (The Guardian).

But, speaking to Jim White on talkSPORT (7 November, 12pm), former Crystal Palace chairman Simon Jordan has suggested that Loftus-Cheek would actually be better off at West Ham under the attack-minded Manuel Pellegrini.

“He had a successful season at Palace, it catapulted him into the England set up. I think there’s a possibility he won’t go out on loan, he’s getting more game time and he’s pushing hard to get into the set up,” said Jordan, who left Palace in 2010.

“West Ham are in the ascendancy, it would be a decent move for Loftus-Cheek to get game time. West Ham is probably the better move for him with Pellegrini.”

Palace are suffering from a serious lack of creativity and thrust in central midfield right now, having failed to score a single home goal from open play in the Premier League this season. The departure of Loftus-Cheek has been more pronounced than anyone would have expected.