Report: Chelsea won't grant antsy Loftus-Cheek another loan move

Chelsea have reportedly told Ruben Loftus-Cheek he must stay at the club to fight for his place in Maurizio Sarri's midfield rather than look for another loan move away.

The England midfielder is disappointed by his lack of playing time so far this campaign and keen to consider another temporary switch to ensure he remains in Gareth Southgate's plans, but he's been informed the Blues won't even consider that possibility until January, reports the Guardian's Dominic Fifield.

The 22-year-old featured for the Three Lions at the 2018 World Cup after an impressive stint at Crystal Palace last season. However, he has played just 22 minutes of the Blues' opening two games this term and was omitted entirely from the 18-man squad for the win over Arsenal this weekend.

The thought in west London, reports Fifield, is that Loftus-Cheek, who scored twice in 25 games at Selhurst Park last campaign, would benefit more from training and competing for a place under Sarri's rule than he would from any experience gained on another short-term switch.

Bundesliga outfit Schalke and a host of French clubs are thought to have been interested in bringing in the midfielder, who has eight caps for England, before the European signings window closes at the end of August. Loftus-Cheek currently appears to be behind the likes of France's World Cup winner N'Golo Kante, summer signing and Sarri favorite Jorginho, Ross Barkley, and on-loan Real Madrid man Mateo Kovacic for a central midfield spot at the Bridge.

Loftus-Cheek's Chelsea contract, reportedly worth £60,000 per week, expires in 2021.