Chelsea couldn’t find a place for Ruben Loftus-Cheek in the squad back in the summer and decided to loan him to Crystal Palace for the season where he begins to fulfil his potential.
The 21-year-old has scored one goal and provided four assists in 17 appearances so far this season and has been instrumental in the Eagles’ climb up the table and Palace manager Roy Hodgson is eager to keep him on a permanent basis.
He’s a player we’d like to have at our club, there’s no doubt about that.
Ruben’s a player we like very much. We’re very impressed with him, delighted with the way he’s developed as a player during the time he’s been here. I’m pretty sure that if he’s ever available for sale, we would certainly be in there with our hand up as one of the potential buyers.
Chelsea are on the verge of completing a deal to sign Ross Barkley from Everton in a £15m deal which could limit future opportunities for Loftus-Cheek going forward as they occupy the same position on he pitch.
Loftus-Cheek is signed to Chelsea until 2021 and the club to believe in his long-term potential but much like was the case with Nathaniel Chalobah, if he demands first-team football then a permanent transfer may have to be sanctioned.
