Chelsea Transfer News: Ruben Loftus-Cheek Eyed by Top Clubs Amid Exit Rumours

Chelsea could be set to lose another exciting young player, with reports suggesting there are a host of top clubs across the continent monitoring the stuttering contract talks between the Blues and Ruben Loftus-Cheek.

Matt Law of the Daily Telegraph writes Manchester United, Manchester City, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are all keeping an eye on the situation, as Chelsea toil in their attempts to tie the 19-year-old down to a long-term deal. Loftus-Cheek has just over 18 months left on his Stamford Bridge contract.

Law outlines the reasons why key figures with the Blues are said to be concerned about one of their brightest academy talents moving on:

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Mourinho promised to give Loftus-Cheek a run of games after the defeat to Southampton, but since then the midfielder has played only 45 minutes against Aston Villa before being hauled off at half-time.

The Portuguese surprised members of the Chelsea hierarchy, including owner Roman Abramovich, by then publicly criticising Loftus-Cheek, claiming he lacked the defensive and tactical intensity of the senior players.

It is understood Abramovich is keen to see Loftus-Cheek encouraged and has taken a great personal interest in his development.

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Manager Jose Mourinho has been critical of the player prior to the aforementioned incident, too, suggesting the relationship between the pair had taken “one step back” after the youngster turned in a poor performance in a post-season friendly against Sydney FC earlier this year, per Dominic Fifield of the Guardian.

For Chelsea supporters, it’d be a big concern to see a player such as Loftus-Cheek leave the club. The youngster has all the attributes to become a tremendous holding midfielder in the Premier League and, as has been evident in the glimpses of first-team football he’s had this season, he is already at a standard by which he can make an impact.

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As OptaJoe noted towards the end of last season, the Blues are without a core of English players, which is vital to long-term success in the Premier League:

While Mourinho’s hardline approach may be geared towards getting the best out of the teenager, his track record of blooding youngsters leaves a lot to be desired. Indeed, despite possessing a youth team that won the FA Youth Cup and the UEFA Youth League last term, the path from the academy into the first team is one which is rarely trodden at Chelsea.

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Indeed, even players who have been bought by the club at a young age have failed to make an impact under the Portuguese, with Mourinho moving on the likes of Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku during his second stint in charge of the club. 

As we can see here courtesy of Squawka Football, both players look as though they will prove to be major mistakes on the part of the Chelsea boss:

He’ll be hoping Loftus-Cheek is not another. Mourinho has struggled throughout his career when it comes to using youngsters, and as a club, while Chelsea have a tremendous academy, the Blues have neglected their responsibility when it comes to promoting organic growth. Loftus-Cheek, understandably, will want some reassurances before he commits.

After all, if he’s only accrued 66 league minutes this year, in what has been an awful start to the campaign for the Blues, when is he going to get a chance? Granted, the likes of United, City, Real and Bayern wouldn’t offer Loftus-Cheek a spot in the starting XI, but they’re enticing propositions for any footballer, each with a superior track record to the Blues when it comes to integrating youngsters.