Loftus-Cheek says he will be patient at Chelsea

Ruben Loftus-Cheek has told Sky Sports he will be patient in is quest to become a first-team regular at Chelsea.

The midfielder, 22, impressed while on loan at Crystal Palace last season, earning himself a place in England’s squad for the World Cup.

He is keen to play regularly this term and there was speculation he could leave on loan again this summer after being overlooked by new Blues boss Maurizio Sarri.

“I’d like to have more appearances by now, but it’s just the way my journey has gone, and I just have to be patient with it,” he said.

“I can see it as a positive; I’m playing for England, playing well when I play, and that’s without too many appearances so it’s still raw in that sense.”

Loftus-Cheek suffered an ankle injury while at Palace but his form after returning to action enhanced his growing reputation – and increased hopes among many Chelsea fans that he will establish himself in the Blues side.

He said: “I was fortunate enough to be fit for that period where it’s like a game every three days over Christmas, and I got my body used to being able to play, have a rest, then play on a Tuesday. That was massive for me and I coped with it well.”