Ruben Loftus-Cheek should leave Chelsea, according to former England boss Sam Allardyce.
The midfielder has been unable to establish himself back at Stamford Bridge since returning after a season on loan at Crystal Palace, where his impressive performances earned him a place in England’s World Cup squad.
He faces stiff competition for a place in the Blues side, with the likes of Jorginho, Matteo Kovacic, Cesc Fabregas and Ross Barkley also in contention.
And ex-Palace and West Ham boss Allardyce believes Loftus-Cheek should look to move on in January for the good of his career.
“What he did for Crystal Palace last season and for England at the World Cup, I thought this would be a big season for him at Chelsea, but it’s simply not happening,” Allardyce told Talksport.
“If I were Loftus-Cheek I would be battering the door down in January and saying: ‘That’s it, I need to get away’.
“And not on loan, get away from Chelsea properly and build his own career.
“He’s had the taste of playing first-team football at Palace and obviously he loves Chelsea, but it’s not happening for him there.
“He’s got to play. He’s too talented not to play, we’ve all seen that.”