Pundit: This is why on-loan player should think twice before returning to Chelsea this summer

The Chelsea fans in the Transfer are hoping that midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek will return to Chelsea this summer. However, BBC pundit Garth Crooks has other ideas.

Crooks recently placed Loftus-Cheek in his Team of the Week, owing to his performance for Crystal Palace against Leicester City over the weekend, and he has suggested that the Englishman could be better placed by remaining at Selhurst Park next season too, instead of returning to Chelsea as planned this summer.

He said: “I would also advise him to stay at Palace for another season. He is getting game time and coaching from one of the most consummate coaches in the business. Give it a year and see where that takes you”.

Loftus-Cheek is, of course, only on a one year loan, and so any extended stay would require Chelsea to agree to such a deal, but as Crooks says, there is certainly an argument to suggest that that may be best for the future.

He rarely played for Chelsea prior to his loan spell, and though he has had his fair share of fitness problems, the Englishman has been a standout figure for the Eagles this term.

A central midfielder by trade, he’s able to play as both a number eight and a number ten, making him a decent option in a variety of formations for club and country.

It will certainly be interesting to see where the Englishman is playing his football next season.

Landlord’s Verdict

There are a few ways to look at this. On one hand, Loftus-Cheek has been excellent at Crystal Palace, and so the opportunity to double-down on that investment makes sense for all parties. However, you could also argue that he’s now ready to do a job at Chelsea – especially given how much Tiemoue Bakayoko has struggled at Stamford Bridge.

Whilst it seems likely that Palace would be eager to hold on to him for another year, it’s likely to come down to Chelsea’s managerial situation, and whether whoever is in charge ahead of next season rates Loftus-Cheek or not.

Certainly, there’s a chance that Crooks will get his wish.

Chelsea fans – thoughts?

Let us know below!