Ruben Loftus-Cheek is keen to stay at Chelsea and prove his worth in Thomas Tuchel’s side squad.
Despite looking like somewhat of a peripheral figure when returning on loan from Fulham over the course of the summer, the 26-year-old has enjoyed a run in the first-team.
Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final win over Crystal Palace was the England midfielder’s 32nd appearance of the season, replacing Mateo Kovacic in the first-half before scoring a crucial opener at Wembley.
Tuchel would later praise the midfielder, backing him to realise his potential.
Operating in a number of different roles this season, Loftus-Cheek looks to have played himself into more regular contention of late and still has two years on his contract at Stamford Bridge.
Amid so much uncertainty off the pitch, the academy graduate spoke of how the difficulty he has faced in overcoming injury problems, as well as a number of loan spells, while declaring his intent to stay at his boyhood club.
“Everyone wants to play and I feel like I’ve done well in the last couple of games and I wanted to keep the momentum, but the strength in depth in the squad is fantastic,” he said.
“The reason why I’m still here is because of my mentality through all the injuries.
“I keep going and I still believe in myself. My time will come and I will keep knuckling down and working for it.”
