Jamie
Redknapp has challenged Ruben Loftus-Cheek to show Chelsea were wrong to
loan him out to Crystal Palace.
Loftus-Cheek, a product of the Chelsea academy, has played 22 games for the
Blues after making his debut for the club in 2014 appearing as a sub against
Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League.
Since arriving at Selhurst Park on loan from Chelsea the 21-year-old has
struggled with injury, playing eight times, but his starring performance on
his England debut against Germany on Friday night earned him the man of the
match award.
And Redknapp, who has 17 caps for England, was full of praise for the
midfielder's "exceptional" performance but thinks he can do even more to
develop his game.
"He (Loftus-Cheek) has to show us now he is the real deal and show everyone
at Chelsea, 'Why are you letting me go on loan? I should be in your first
team'," the Sky Sports football pundit told Sky Sports News HQ.
"He's got all the attributes, the physicality, the touch and the finesse and
when he runs with the ball he's got all the power, but I think he can do
more.
"I think he can boss games from start to finish, he is so strong, he's 6ft
3in, but he could do it more often.
"He's had a few injuries early in the season, but what he's shown is that if
he plays with better players he is a better player. I thought he was
exceptional on Friday night and I hope he plays against Brazil."
But the former Tottenham midfielder understands opportunities are limited at
Stamford Bridge and thinks Loftus-Cheek's best option was to go out on loan.
After selling Nemanja Matic to Manchester United, Chelsea bought Tiemoue
Bakayoko from Monaco and Danny Drinkwater from Leicester to fill the
midfield vacancy.
"It's difficult because he probably wouldn't get a chance with Chelsea,"
added Redknapp. "They've signed Bakayoko, so the only chance he has really
is if he goes on loan somewhere. I think the loan system is very good."
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