Chelsea midfielder Loftus-Cheek option to loan move abroad

Ruben Loftus-Cheek will push for a loan move away from Chelsea if Maurizio Sarri cannot offer assurances about regular playing time, claims The Times.

The England international has already made it clear he will not settle for a place on the bench next season and is prepared to leave Chelsea.

Loftus-Cheek spent last season on loan at Crystal Palace and even forced his way into Gareth Southgate’s squad for the 2018 World Cup earlier this summer.

The 22-year-old cut short his summer holiday to return to Chelsea and impress new boss Sarri but he is yet to receive assurances about his role next term.

Chelsea do not want to lose Loftus-Cheek for the upcoming campaign but may have little choice but to loan the midfielder out again.

Loftus-Cheek is desperate to play regularly and will even consider his options abroad if he fails to secure a Premier League move before Thursday’s deadline.

English clubs are only permitted to buy players up until next week but foreign leagues have longer transfer windows, meaning Chelsea could still allow Loftus-Cheek to leave after Thursday.

Of players that made at least 15 Premier League appearances last season, only four players required fewer minutes per successful dribble than Loftus-Cheek (1 every 25.7 minutes of action).