Ruben Loftus-Cheek Could Leave Chelsea on Loan If He Can't Match Sarri's Demands

Ruben Loftus-Cheek has said a loan move away from Chelsea in January is a possibility if he can't force his way into manager Maurizio Sarri's plans. 

Loftus-Cheek is learning from Sarri and assistant boss Gianfranco Zola in a bid to fit in with the boss' tactical demands, but he said he could head back to Crystal Palace, where he spent last season on loan.

Per the Daily Mail's Jack Gaughan, of the idea of returning to Palace on another loan, he said:

"Possibly, but it is still far away, there are still a lot of games to play. Right now my focus is Chelsea and learning at Chelsea. That [Palace] is in the future and we will deal with that when it comes.

"There are a lot of games coming up so there will be more opportunities for players who are not playing every week."

The midfielder has made just two cameo appearances for the Blues under Sarri, totalling 33 minutes on the pitch.

Sarri has spoken to Loftus-Cheek in training and wants him to adapt to his system:

"We have had a lot of talks in the past couple of weeks, and he said to me I need to learn tactically. So a lot of my focus and effort is learning his tactics and his ways in training.

"The quicker I get that, the more opportunities I will get to play.

"He [Sarri] is helping me, and Gianfranco is helping me every day to learn it as quickly as possible."

The 22-year-old may not remember seeing Chelsea legend Zola live given his age, but he has seen footage of the Italian and feels that "to have him as an assistant is great for us players."

Loftus-Cheek came through the ranks at Stamford Bridge but has only made 34 senior appearances for the club, with opportunities limited for younger players at Stamford Bridge.

ESPN FC's Liam Twomey believes the England international's situation puts him in a difficult position:

He was rewarded for a strong season with Palace last year with a place in Gareth Southgate's squad for the FIFA World Cup, and he started three times for the Three Lions in Russia.

Loftus-Cheek is an exciting prospect who could grow into a key player for club and country if given more chances to develop.

The midfielder likes to drive the ball forward, using his powerful 6'3" frame to protect it from opponents as he does so, and he also has the technical prowess to glide past them with ease:

Given opportunities are hard to come by at Chelsea, football writer Kristan Heneage echoed the thoughts of former England striker Ian Wright that Loftus-Cheek could benefit from leaving Stamford Bridge:

There aren't many players with his talent who have only had one season of regular first-team football under their belts by 22, and it's vital he get plenty of game time during his formative years.

He has time to convince Sarri he's worthy of a place in the starting XI before the transfer window reopens in January, but if he continues to operate on the fringes, he will need a loan or permanent move away.