5 Chelsea loanees and their future at the club

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2. RUBEN LOFTUS-CHEEK (CRYSTAL PALACE)

Manchester City v Crystal Palace - Premier League
Ruben Loftus-Cheek has shown glimpses of his talent with no rewards yet for the England youngster.

A player Chelsea has high expectations from, he has struggled to make a strong impression at the club since making his debut for the Blues in 2014. New formation and a new role under Antonio Conte last season coupled with competition for places meant fewer first team opportunities for the 21-year-old. A few starts in the early cup games along with some sporadic appearances in the league under Conte last season made him look elsewhere for first team action.

His early form at Crystal Palace has been overshadowed by the club's dismal start to the season and injuries. Although he has no goals and assists to show, his performances with the Eagles suggest things will get better for him and the club. In a horrific start to the season which has seen Palace fail to score a single goal, he has been one of the few bright spots.


FUTURE AT CHELSEA

A typical box-box player, his early Palace career has seen him play behind the striker which could be a role he could claim at Chelsea in future. He was deployed in the central midfield role at times for Chelsea but with fierce competition for the two central midfield spots at Chelsea and doubts over his defensive duties in that role, that role might not come to fruition. To avoid being one of the many to be farmed out constantly, he needs to showcase some outstanding performances which has not come so far.

Furthermore, a possible role at Chelsea at present would be on either side of the sriker. Fabregas has been used at times this season in that role, so it might be the position that best suits him at the moment with less defensive duties and greater emphasis on attack, a trait that comes naturally to him rather than defend but then again all this hinges on how he performs at Palace.

Loftus-Cheek certainly has a bright future ahead of him but we're not quite sure if it is at Chelsea yet. Time is on his side to stake a claim but results will have to improve for Palace to reflect on Loftus-Cheek's early season promise.


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