Ruben Loftus-Cheek is a player that is popular amongst fans at Chelsea, and with good reason. He enjoyed a fantastic season with Crystal Palace last term, and he looked good whilst representing England at the World Cup, too.

Naturally, then, the Blues will likely be eager to give him a chance in the team next season, and he'd deserve that. Indeed, nothing should stop that from happening - other than the potential arrival of Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.

According to the Independent, the Blues are interested in the midfielder, and it's fair to say that he's the sort of player that would seriously be able to give Loftus-Cheek a run for his money. 

An attacking midfielder by trade, he's the perfect player to take up the advanced playmaker role that is so prevalent within a Maurizio Sarri system.

Technically-gifted, sensational with the ball at his feet and relatively quick, Milinkovic-Savic - who is rated at £81 million by Transfer Markt - has emerged over the last few years as one of Europe's brightest midfield talents. He's been a regular for Lazio, and last year was arguably his best season yet. With 12 goals in the league, there is no doubting his pedigree moving forward.

He's a year older than Loftus-Cheek, but he's also considerably more developed and more experienced, and with Chelsea looking to gain immediate success, that's important to note.

He's a physical presence, and so he'd be right at home in the Premier League, whilst he's also a very hard worker - which would suit Sarri's fluid midfield.

Loftus-Cheek deserves a chance to play in the coming season, but if Chelsea are able to get their hands on the Lazio ace, Sarri must think twice.

Chelsea fans - thoughts?

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