Ruben
Loftus-Cheek has provided an early boost for new head coach Frank Lampard by
signing a new long-term contract at Chelsea.
The England midfielder, whose previous Blues deal had two years still to
run, has signed a five-year deal which takes him through until 2024.
The 23-year-old became a regular in Chelsea's midfield towards the end of
last season after a successful loan spell at Crystal Palace in 2017/18 where
he made 24 Premier League appearances.
Loftus-Cheek said: "I'm really happy and pleased that I get to stay here for
another five years. It's the place where I've grown up playing and hopefully
I'll be playing here for a lot longer.
"At eight or nine-years-old, of course you never think you'll be here for so
long because you just want to enjoy yourself and play with your friends.
"When I look back and see how the hard work has paid off, it's a good
feeling. That only makes me want to work harder to achieve more in the
future.
"I hope to win a lot more trophies with the team and personally it's just
about trying to do as well as I can and work hard to be a key player for
Chelsea."
Loftus-Cheek is still recovering from the ruptured Achilles he suffered in
May which caused him to sit out the Europa League final and UEFA Nations
League, and is likely to miss the start of the new season.
The dynamic ball-carrying midfielder has established himself as a stalwart
in the England national squad under Gareth Southgate, earning 10
international caps including four at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
He has spent the summer in rehabilitation but was at Stamford Bridge with
Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia to put pen to paper on his new deal.
Granovskaia added: "We see Ruben as an important part of the squad for many
years to come and we are very pleased he also considers his future to be
with Chelsea.
"He is proof of the fantastic work being done in the Chelsea Academy and in
recent seasons has developed into a first-team regular and an England
international. Under Frank Lampard's leadership, we believe he will be a key
player for Chelsea and we look forward to welcoming him back once he has
recovered from his injury."
Loftus-Cheek will be looking to continue his form for the Blues with Lampard
coming in as manager and the former Derby boss will aim to bring through
more youngsters from the Chelsea academy.
Lampard said: "My job is to find the balance between being competitive and
bringing some of the younger players through. My eyes will always be open to
the young players but they have to show that they're good enough because
this is Chelsea and we can't lower our levels too much. I'm not going to do
young boys a favour by putting them in the team - they have to get there on
merit."
Loftus-Cheek made his competitive debut in the Champions League in December
2014 before two appearances in Chelsea's 2014/15 Premier League-winning
campaign.
top