Chelsea loanee Ruben Loftus-Cheek in limbo after injury

Ruben Loftus-Cheek had an extremely promising start to his Premier League campaign. But injury has kept him out for months. His Chelsea future in limbo.

Loftus-Cheek has been heralded for years as “the next big thing”. His form this season seemingly confirmed it. Playing all across the midfield, he was one of Crystal Palace’s best players in a dismal start. “Was” being the key word.

The young Englishman was injured against Arsenal on December 28th. Just as he was close to returning from that injury, he injured his knee. It is unknown when he will be fit again.

At 22, this turn of events could not have come at a worse time for Loftus-Cheek. He had a solid shot at making the World Cup squad, if only as depth. His blistering form made him a shoo-in for the Chelsea squad next season, likely as a key contributor.

Now he has missed almost half the season. Those dreams hang by a thread. His age means time is running out for him to make it at Chelsea. His injury means he is stuck in limbo between making it and moving on.

The current state of affairs is of Chelsea’s own making. For years, he stayed with the first team. The hope was that he was so talented that a loan was unnecessary. He stuck around under Jose Mourinho, Guus Hiddink and Antonio Conte. But he failed to break through under any of the three despite solid performances when called upon.

Whether it was Chelsea’s choice or Loftus-Cheek’s to stay is unknown. Just as it is unknown as to who suggested the loan. It was likely far past time for him to have consistent playing time.

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18 to 23 are the most vital years of a player’s career. It is in that frame that players develop not just in skill but physically as well. The closer a player gets to 23, the more vital it is that they have consistent minutes.

But the longer it takes a player to find minutes, the farther behind the curve they will be. Loftus-Cheek’s lack of playing time in recent seasons could have played a role in his current injury. Physically, his body is simply not used to that work load.

Chelsea should no better by now. Josh McEachran and Nathan Chalobah were not given enough minutes in the early years to develop. Patrick Bamford’s confidence was destroyed on a series of poor loans. Lewis Baker could be heading down a similar path. Over the summer, Nathan Ake opted for a move rather than waste his vital years not playing.

Really, the only player in recent times that Chelsea has gotten it right with is Andreas Christensen. He was loaned out to a level he was capable of playing at and had tons of valuable development minutes. Upon his return to Chelsea, he was more than ready at only 21.

Loftus-Cheek could still make it at Chelsea. Some players are late bloomers and buck the rules. Most of a player breaking through comes down to circumstance. But Loftus-Cheek’s injury is a mighty set back at a crucial time.

His future is stuck in limbo until he recovers. If he is back on the pitch soon and plays as well as before, he could be right back into the World Cup and Chelsea conversations. If he does not, he will likely go on loan again next season.

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A potential loan next season would be his absolute last chance to prove himself. It will be his last shot.. Chelsea will be hoping he pulls through onto the right side.