Report: Chelsea Could Let Ruben Loftus-Cheek Leave on Loan in January

Chelsea are reportedly open to allowing midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek to leave the club on loan in January but are not willing to sanction a permanent move.

According to Liam Twomey at ESPN FC, the 22-year-old has grown frustrated at a lack of game time at Stamford Bridge this season under new manager Maurizio Sarri.

Arsenal, Everton and Crystal Palace have all expressed an interest in the midfielder, and a temporary move away looks the best option if his situation does not improve, per the report.

Loftus-Cheek has managed just 33 minutes of Premier League action with Chelsea this season, per WhoScored.com.

His only start came in the UEFA Europa League win over Vidi. It was the first time he had begun a match for the Blues since January 2017, and he lasted 66 minutes before being replaced by Ross Barkley.

He was left out of the Chelsea squad altogether for their next match against Southampton. Twomey shared his reaction:

Competition for places in the Chelsea midfield is fierce. Mateo Kovacic and Jorginho arrived over the summer, Barkley has been given a new lease of life under Sarri, and the club also have N'Golo Kante, Cesc Fabregas and Danny Drinkwater.

Sarri has praised Loftus-Cheek and explained where he needs to improve. per Lawrence Ostlere at The Independent.

"He's a great player from the technical point of view, and from the physical point of view. But he has to improve from a tactical point of view. I want more from the tactical point of view because we conceded three or four counter-attacks to the opponent. we have to do better, especially in this case with the midfielders."

Loftus-Cheek was part of the England squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. However, his lack of minutes have seen him omitted from the latest Three Lions' squad for the recent UEFA Nations League games against Croatia and Spain.

The youngster spent last season on loan at Crystal Palace, and manager Roy Hodgson has spoken about the possibility of Loftus-Cheek returning to Selhurst Park:

Loftus-Cheek is unlikely to be able to demonstrate the improvements Sarri has requested if he remains at Chelsea, where he is expected only to play in the cup competitions.

While he may be keen to prove himself at Stamford Bridge, a loan deal looks the best option in the short term to secure regular football and attempt to regain his place in the England squad.