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Chelsea news: Ruben Loftus-Cheek to make transfer plea in bid to secure January move
RUBEN LOFTUS-CHEEK will ask Chelsea to let him leave on loan when the January transfer window opens, according to reports.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek 'like a swiss army knife' says Hargreaves
The midfielder has struggled to force his way into Maurizio Sarri’s first team and is yet to start a single Premier League game this season.
All of his three league appearances have been from the bench, with his only starts coming in the League Cup and the Europa League.
And The Times say he is now ready to ask for another move.
The 22-year-old spent the last campaign at Crystal Palace and his impressive performances earned him a place in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the World Cup in Russia.
Palace were interested in signing him permanently or another season-long loan in the summer, while Germans Schalke are also said to be keen.
He was hoping for more first-team action at Stamford Bridge this season and appeared to be on the right track after he hit a hat-trick against BATE Borisov in the Europa League last month.
Loftus-Cheek was dropped to the bench for the next league game against Burnley - and netted once more after coming off the bench.
But he has not even made a substitute appearance in the two league games since then and appears to be cutting a frustrated figure in west London.
He was also criticised Sarri after his treble against BATE Borisov, who said he needed to improve his positioning.
Jorginho and N’Golo Kante have been mainstays for Sarri all season, leaving Loftus-Cheek to fight for one midfield spot with Mateo Kovacic and Ross Barkley.
To make things worse for the England youngster, Blues team-mate Barkley is also playing ahead of him in the national side.
Competition for places could become even fiercer as Chelsea have been heavily linked with a move for Denis Suarez in the January transfer window.
Suarez is surplus to requirements at Barcelona and Sarri is understood to be a huge admirer having tried to sign him while manager of Napoli.
Meanwhile, reports suggest Kante is set to sign bumper a new contract to stay at the club for another five years.
The Frenchman will reportedly earn around £290,000 per week.