A lot can change in a few months
In the middle of July Ruben Loftus-Cheek was one of the breakout stars of the World Cup, impressing for England all the way to the semi-final and had the world at his feet.
Fast-forward just three months and the 22-year-old was not even named on the bench for Chelsea’s Premier League clash with Man United at Stamford Bridge.
Loftus-Cheek will have hoped that he would be fighting for a place in the Blues’ first team this season but Sarri’s decision to leave him out for new signing was a major blow.
Chelsea have the infamous ‘loan army’ but Loftus-Cheek is not a youngster who can afford to be waiting for game time.
The midfielder has all the attributes to make it but by the looks of things he needs to leave Chelsea to make the most of them.
We’ve picked five clubs that would be absolutely ideal for Loftus-Cheek to show was he is capable of.
Crystal Palace
You don’t have imagine this one because of course, Loftus-Cheek was there on loan last season.
Roy Hodgson has put together an exciting team in South London and RLC’s partnership with Wilfried Zaha is a terrifying prospect.
Would be a chance to play in a fun, young team and would be a guaranteed starter every week.
He played 21 games for Palace last term, scoring twice and getting three assists and being called up to the England squad.
Also round the corner from his mum’s house so very convenient.
Inter
There is a rumble in Milan as both clubs build teams to finally challenge Juventus.
Inter are moulding a young team with excellent players across the midfield.
Lautaro Martinez might have the no.10 slot sewn up but Loftus-Cheek tearing across the San Siro in the famed Nerazzurri kit would be a sight to behold.
A midfield three of Radja Nainggolan, Croatia’s Marcelo Brozovic and RLC would strike fear in even Juventus’s hearts.
Also proved he can already perform in stripes.
Monaco
Which club is the current hotbed for bringing through the best talent in Europe? If you said Monaco you’re right.
They might have sold pretty much all the midfield talent that brought them a league title two years ago, but they’ve signed several more exciting youngsters and Loftus-Cheek could join up with fellow Chelsea reject Jonathan Panzo on the French Riviera.
RLC would be part of a midfield containing Aleksandr Golovin, Youri Tielemans and Adama Traore, none of which are over 23.
Tasty.
Schalke
The closest challengers to Bayern Munich last season could do worse than bolster their midfield options with Loftus-Cheek.
Germany has become the go-to league for young English talent and it could be a harmonious match for both sides.
Slotting in next to Amine Harit in the centre could be the perfect role for Loftus-Cheek, using his physicality in midfield and his guile to feed speedster Brett Embolo.
Unlikely to win a league title in Germany, but if your club isn’t Bayern Munich then you can pretty much give up now.
Sevilla
Steven N’Zonzi’s move to Roma opens up a midfield spot for Unai Emery’s old side.
A lovely place to live in southern Spain and RLC could be enjoying some of their world famous oranges.
With Sevilla aiming to improve on their 7th-place finish last season, Loftus-Cheek would also get the chance to prove himself against Real Madrid and Barcelona regularly.
Equally beneficial would learning to pass from Argentinian midfield wizard Ever Banega.
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