Loftus-Cheek should leave Stamford Bridge insists former Blue

Loftus-Cheek should leave Stamford Bridge insists former Blue

Ruben Loftus-Cheek should seek to leave Chelsea this summer, says former Blue Pat Nevin.

The 22-year-old spent last season on-loan with fellow Premier League side Crystal Palace, where his impressive performances earned him an unlikely call-up to Gareth Southgate’s England squad for this summer’s World Cup in Russia.

Palace manager Roy Hodgson has stated his desire to sign the midfielder on a permanent basis, however it is widely expected Loftus-Cheek will return to Chelsea this summer – with the hope of establishing himself as a first-team regular at Stamford Bridge.

Shunned by Antonio Conte in the 2016/17 season however, former Blue Pat Nevin believes the youngster will only receive the same treatment this time round if he returns to Chelsea, and hence he should look elsewhere in order to fulfil his potential.

“He’s done well,” he told West London Sport.

“But there’s a difference between playing at Crystal Palace and aiming to be a player at a top four club like Chelsea.

“People are saying he just needs a chance and should be given a chance but it’s very different at Chelsea.

“He needs to be playing regularly at a high level and Chelsea can just go out and buy world-class players.

“I don’t think that it is fair on a young player if he only gets 10 games as part of a squad next season. I don’t like to see a young player’s growth being stifled.”

As well as Palace, Bournemouth and West Ham United are also understood to be interested in signing Loftus-Cheek this summer.