With a new coach to impress in Maurizio Sarri this season, Chelsea star Ruben Loftus-Cheek has reportedly turned down the chance of a loan move to Schalke.
The 22-year-old has been knocking on the door at Stamford Bridge to establish himself in the senior side on a regular basis.
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However, after making just 32 appearances in three seasons between 2014 and 2017, he spent last season on loan at Crystal Palace and impressed, scoring two goals in 25 outings for the Eagles.
That in turn also led to a breakthrough with England, with Loftus-Cheek part of Gareth Southgate’s squad for the World Cup in Russia earlier this summer.
With that in mind, the youngster’s career appears to be moving in the right direction, and so the last thing that he needs now is for it to stagnate with a lack of playing time at Chelsea again.
Nevertheless, as per The Guardian, he will snub the opportunity to join Schalke on a season-long loan to continue to battle for first-team football with the Blues.
Competition for places is still fierce at Chelsea despite movement in the midfield department this summer, as Sarri has brought in both Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic who appear to be fundamental to implementing his preferred style of play given their technical quality.
However, Tiemoue Bakayoko looks set to secure a move to AC Milan, as per Sky Sports, and so perhaps that opens up a window of opportunity for Loftus-Cheek to emerge and solidify himself in Sarri’s plans.
With Chelsea competing on various fronts this season, including in the Europa League, Loftus-Cheek may well emerge as an important option for the Italian tactician and so the decision to stay and reject another loan exit may produce results for the talented ace.