Leicester City have one eye firmly poised on the summer transfer window as they aim to bolster their squad. After bringing in three quality players during January, it looks as if the club are now preparing their shortlist for summer targets: one of those players being Chelsea’s Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
Come July, both Youri Tielemans and Nampalys Mendy are out of contract and will leave the Foxes for free. Not only that, but there will also be heavy interest in James Maddison, alongsside the uncertainty of Dennis Praet’s future. It could mean that Brendan Rodgers loses four of his first-team midfield options.
It will come as no surprise, therefore, that LCFC are already discussing midfield options for the summer, with Loftus-Cheek revealed to be of interest. The story comes from website GiveMeSport who have recently spoken to journalist Simon Phillips, naming the Foxes as one of several parties interested in the England international.
"“He [Loftus-Cheek] has got clubs interested in him now and Leicester City are one of them. They’ve spoken internally about interest in Loftus-Cheek, so I could see them coming in for him in the summer, among other clubs. I don’t think Loftus-Cheek will stay. I think Chelsea will let him go in the summer.” Simon Phillips via GiveMeSport"
Capable of playing in the spine of midfield, RLC is adept in both attack and defence, very much in the role that Tielemans plays for City. Under Thomas Tuchel, he was also deployed as a right sided midfielder, or a right wing-back when Chelsea started with a back three.
The problem for Loftus-Cheek was that he has never been able to solidify a starting spot for the Blues. Jorginho, N’Golo Kante, Mateo Kovačić, Mason Mount, and newly-bought Enzo Fernandez have all offered fierce competition when vying for a starting spot, as well as fellow underused-England colleague Conor Gallagher.
It’s no shock that RLC hasn’t been able to start week-in week-out for his boyhood club, whether it be from the competition or the unfortunate timing of his injuries. The 27-year-old is now at a crucial point in his career: with his contract expiring in June 2024, he faces a choice of whether to stay and play irregular minutes for the side he has been with since the age of eight, or he takes a plunge and moves to another side in search of consistent football.
Equally, Chelsea faces a decision over giving him a new contract, cashing in on him now, or risk losing him on a free in the summer. Currently valued around £25m, this could be the last chance to get a significant fee for their midfielder, even if it is lower than they’d like.
Whilst Leicester are having internal discussions over a potential deal, they aren’t the only club eyeing him up. Italian giants AC Milan are reportedly keen, whilst Crystal Palace are also interested.
The Foxes will be wary of Palace’s interest; Loftus-Cheek played his best football for the Eagles at Selhurst Park whilst on loan at the club in the 2017-18 season. Despite several injury issues that saw him miss 19 games that season, RLC still enjoyed a breakthrough campaign, scoring twice and assisting five more. His performances earnt him a place in the England squad for the 2018 World Cup, in which he started three games.
Returning to his parent club after the tournament, Loftus-Cheek found himself involved with the first team but was struck down with a serious ACL injury in May 2019. What followed was a gruelling 280-day recovery, eventually returning to the pitch in February 2020. Still struggling to nail down a starting spot at Stamford Bridge, he joined Fulham on loan for the 2020-21 season.
Unlike his time at Crystal Palace, RLC struggled alongside his teammates with the club finishing the season relegated in 18th, 11 points from safety. It wasn’t the career boost he needed, and he returned to Chelsea still fighting for his chance.
A move away from the Bridge could be the fresh boost his career needs. There is no doubting Loftus-Cheek’s quality on the ball, he just needs consistent football in order for him to excel. If Leicester could strike a deal, it would be a significant coup for the club. Whilst RLC isn’t as technical as Tielemans, he certainly would be a good man to replace the Belgian.
The issue for the Foxes would be his hefty £150,000-a-week salary. Leicester City wouldn’t be able to match his Chelsea wages, and the midfielder faces having to take a wage-cut if he leaves. How much Leicester would be willing to pay is unknown, but it’s likely that any deal would put him into the upper echelon of earners at the King Power.
Whilst Loftus-Cheek offers a significant presence when he plays, recent injury history and his high wages should leave Leicester cautious about a deal. They will need a high-quality player if they are to replace Youri Tielemans, but there will be other options out there. The link to RLC is a positive sign, but it should be the start of their midfielder chase, not the end.