Frank Lampard has confirmed that Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek is likely to join another Premier League side on loan before the transfer window shuts next week.
The 24-year-old started in the Blues' opening day win against Brighton, but has not featured in another squad ever since, and appears to have fallen down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge.
The likes of Aston Villa and West Ham are believed to be interested in signing the player, and speaking ahead of his team's Carabao Cup tie against Tottenham on Tuesday, Lampard admitted a loan spell could do Loftus-Cheek the world of good.
"I’m very open with Ruben," he said. "We’ve had a couple of conversations in the last week. He’s fit as a fiddle so he can play week in, week out. He needs to play. He’s done a lot of work now.
"He would have been playing earlier if it wasn’t for lockdown and restart. There’s a possibility that Ruben may go out [on loan] to play games because I think that would be great for him. We hold him in very high regard here. I certainly do and that could be a good option for him.
"I’m relaxed about it but I want to find the best path for Ruben and I want to find the best path for us."
Even if Loftus-Cheek does move away temporarily, Lampard insisted the England international is still very much part of his long-term plans going forward.
He added: "Without a doubt. He’s had a difficult time. The injury was a bad one. He hasn’t played as many minutes for this club as he would have liked to for different reasons.
"But just before his injury he was playing really well and contributing. I was always looking forward to him getting back fit and working with him. We’ll make that decision on what’s best for him and us."
