Loftus-Cheek to consider future as Palace target permanent deal
Ruben Loftus-Cheek will consider his future once Crystal Palace have secured their Premier League status.
The midfielder, on loan with the Eagles from Chelsea, has impressed at Selhurst Park and Palace hope to sign him on a permanent basis.
Their manager Roy Hodgson believes that in only two starts since his return from injury Loftus-Cheek has already rediscovered the form that earned him his England debut.
And Hodgson hopes that if Palace avoid relegation they will be able to tempt Loftus-Cheek to commit to them.
“I really haven’t thought about what’s going to happen next season. I’ve still got a few games now,” Loftus-Cheek said.
“Big games coming up, so I’m focused with Palace. Whatever happens next season I’m not really looking at that right now. I’ll deal with that when it comes.
“The experience of being a Premier League player playing every week is just massive. The feeling of it, of getting three points, I’m just not used to it.
“Every game means something, the supporters are fantastic and since I’ve come to Palace I’ve learnt to fight as a team and for the three points.
“We still have a lot of fighting to do so I’m very grateful for Palace and for the season I’ve had.”
Former England boss Hodgson believes Loftus-Cheek is capable of making an impact at international as well as club level.
“The way he is playing now after a long absence is the way he was playing when he was selected (for England),” Hodgson said.
“He is very good at screening, keeping the ball. He’s very good at beating players. His work-rate has been very good.
“For Ruben Loftus-Cheek to consider us seriously as an option, we need to be in the league (next season). Let’s keep our priorities right and work hard to stay in this league.
“Then I’m pretty sure we would be saying to Ruben, ‘Is it worth having the conversation with Chelsea, could you consider?’. Then the conversation with Chelsea will come around and we will see from there.
“There’s no doubt he is going to be hot property if he has four more games like the last couple. Not just for Crystal Palace but for other teams too.”
