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Football

06th Aug 2018

Premier League website appears to accidentally confirm Ruben Loftus-Cheek loan move

The midfielder spent last season on loan at Crystal Palace and has been linked with a move back to South London as he searches for first team football

Reuben Pinder

There have been no announcements from either club

Ruben Loftus-Cheek has been the subject of much speculation this summer. After a productive loan spell at Crystal Palace last season, he was selected to go to the World Cup with England.

His encouraging performances for both club and country have given new Chelsea manager a selection headache. The 21-year-old must play first team football if he is to reach his full potential, but he faces tough competition to break into Chelsea’s midfield. Rumours of a potential return to Palace for a second loan spell have picked up over the past few days, as the clock runs down in this transfer window.

Fuel was chucked on the rumour fire today as the Premier League website appeared to show that Loftus-Cheek has rejoined Palace on loan for this season. There have been no announcements made by either club, but some fans are taking this as confirmation of his return.

 

It could well be a glitch, but equally, it could become fact by the end of the window. Loftus-Cheek was left out of the Chelsea squad completely for yesterday’s community shield with Danny Drinkwater seemingly ahead of him in the midfield pecking order.

Loftus-Cheek did go to the World Cup and will therefore have been given a slightly longer rest than some of his teammates, but he has been back in training with Chelsea for a week and World Cup fatigue did not stop Pep Guardiola from picking John Stones and Kyle Walker.

If it doesn’t look like he will get a sufficient amoung of game time this season, Loftus-Cheek will likely request a loan move and Palace is the most likely destination after how well he did last season.

Born in Lewisham, he has a connection with South London and the fans warmed to him instantly.