Ruben Loftus-Cheek May Quit Chelsea

RICHARD TANNER

Ruben Loftus-Cheek has dropped a big hint he may have to quit Chelsea to ensure his England career stays on track.

The midfielder impressed in a 10-minute cameo in the win over Tunisia in Volgograd on Monday, winning the corner from which Harry Kane scored the added time winner. And he is in line to replace Dele Alli if the Tottenham star fails to recover from a thigh injury in time for the clash with Panama on Sunday.

Loftus-Cheek, 22, is keen to put thoughts on his club future on the back burner while at the World Cup but after an impressive season on loan at Crystal Palace earned him a place in Gareth Southgate’s squad for Russia, he does not want to return to the fringes at Stamford Bridge.

Much will depend on who is manager – Maurizio Sarri is expected to take over from Antonio Conte – but Loftus-Cheek admits he can’t afford to take a backward step and risk stagnating on the bench.

“Yes, that’s the key for me next season regarding where I end up. I want to play. I want to play as much as I can,” he said.

“Even this past season I didn’t play as much as I would have liked to because of the injuries and stuff. So I still feel I need a proper season of playing – wherever it is.

“I’m confident in my ability that I can do well wherever it is. But I’m just not thinking about whether I’m going to play at Chelsea right now. I’m just focused on the tournament.”

The imposing 6ft 3ins Londoner played 26 times to help Palace’s successful climb away from the relegation zone but admits his body is still getting used to the greater intensity and physicality of Premier League football and says he has to manage a back problem that contributed to a three-month mid-season injury absence.

“I do some yoga, but it’s just about managing my back because that step up physically to men’s football is big,” he added. “I know I look big and strong but it’s still hard on my body. But I’m feeling stronger and more confident the more I play.

“I had that period at Palace in December time where we had loads of games and I played and got through that well. I was getting confident the more I play. I still get back problems, I’m working on that a lot and it’s getting better.”

Loftus-Cheek is relaxed at the possibility of stepping in for Alli when England move on to Nizhny Novgorod at the weekend.

“I am happy if I start or if I don’t. I will be ready to come on again if I get the opportunity,” he said.

“When the game is like that, when there is not long left, you have to try and make stuff happen and take risks rather than just go on and be direct.

“I was at the near post for the winner and just looked back, saw Harry there and I thought, ‘Thank God it’s Harry!’”