The last player to make it through the Chelsea youth system and become a Blues starter was John Terry nearly 20 years ago; though is seems that the wait for a new homegrown star might be coming to an end.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek has been given more a chance than any other player in recent years, and with each game he is starting to look better and more comfortable as a bonafide regular.

Whilst he is typically deployed in a midfield role, Antonio Conte recently spoke of his desire to give him a chance up front, suggesting that his quality’s would serve him well up in such a berth.

“Every manager has their own idea about a system of play,” Conte told the club’s official website.

“In this system, with two midfielders, Ruben can play close to the other forward but become a forward when we have the ball.

“I like him a lot in the position of striker. He can improve a lot because he has great potential, good technique, good personality and he is good one vs one.”

With doubts remaining over the long-term future of Diego Costa and both Romelu Lukaku and Alvaro Morata looking hugely expensive, perhaps the England under-21 international would be a good bet leading the line.

Granted, it might be a weird one for the Blues faithful to understand right away, but the move can definitely makes sense.

To that end, here are THREE reasons why Loftus-Cheek must be used as a striker next season.

Midfield depth

The most obvious reason is that he will definitely get more of a chance playing in the attacking third rather than in the middle of the pitch.

N’Golo Kante is seemingly a shoe-in to become Chelsea’s most important midfielder next season, after a £30+ million move.

Alongside him, the club have a wealth of options; Matic, Fabregas, Mikel and Marco van Ginkel, and that is without the signing any of the potential midfield targets that the club are being linked with.

Competing with 4 other players for 1 position, especially as a young player, means that the 20-year old will struggle to get a game in his preferred position.

At a time where game time is imperative as he looks to improve as a player; he must look elsewhere on the field in order to find it.

Weak Defensively

Another key reason as to why the Young Lion may struggle in midfield next year is that his style simply doesn’t lean towards him playing as part of a defensive midfield pivot.

If Chelsea continue to play in a 4-2-3-1 formation, the ‘2’ defensive midfielders are the most important players on the pitch, and must be strong both defensively and offensively when playing there.

Loftus-Cheek, for all the talents he has, is not strong enough defensively – lacking the aggression and tackling prowess of a Kante or a Matic, making him uncomfortable in that role.

He would be perfect in a three man midfield, alongside some powerful defensive midfielders; but if Chelsea are insistent on playing 4-2-3-1; there simply is no role for him in that incarnation of a Chelsea midfield.

Unreliable Strikers

Whilst he would not get much of a chance in midfield; the structure of the Chelsea forward line would lean itself to a player like Loftus-Cheek getting a real chance.

Diego Costa typically suffers a few injuries per season, Michy Batshuayi is a bit of an unknown quantity, and Loic Remy looks set for the exit door this summer.

As a result, the 20-year old may well find himself as the third or fourth choice striker at Chelsea this summer, and if his new Italian coach does occasionally utilise two strikers next season…he could find himself playing quite regularly next season.

Conte clearly also rates him there, so it would be strange to not consider him as an option should The Blues be in need for a striker next season.

He also offers something different to the rest of his strikers, offering a delicately placed pass and more technical ability than Costa; meaning he could be deployed when the club are struggling up top.