Ruben Loftus-Cheek's World Cup aspirations are under threat as he struggles for game time at Chelsea, with England manager Gareth Southgate growing increasingly concerned about the lack of first-team opportunities for the midfielder.
Southgate has highlighted the declining number of English players starting in the Premier League, now at an all-time low of just over 30 per cent. Loftus-Cheek, who impressed at the World Cup in Russia, has been limited to two substitute appearances for Chelsea this season, totalling just 33 minutes.
The 22-year-old's lack of match sharpness was evident in England's friendly against Switzerland, where his touch was heavy and timing off. Southgate used the match to give minutes to players like Loftus-Cheek who are not playing regularly for their clubs.
Loftus-Cheek has chosen to fight for his place at Chelsea rather than go on loan again, but the depth of midfield talent under Maurizio Sarri makes regular football unlikely. Former England manager Roy Hodgson, who coached Loftus-Cheek at Crystal Palace, has praised his combination of power, pace and skill, comparing him favourably to Michael Ballack.
Southgate has warned that players must take responsibility for their own game time, and pundits Jamie Redknapp and Jamie Carragher have echoed this view. A return to Crystal Palace, where Loftus-Cheek made 25 appearances last season, could be a viable option to keep his England place.
