Ruben Loftus-Cheek understands why he has been encouraged to leave Chelsea after struggling for first-team action.
The 22-year-old has been in fine form recently under the guidance of Maurizio Sarri, scoring a hat-trick in the 3-1 Europa League victory over BATE Borisov before netting in the 4-0 win over Burnley.
However, the England international is competing with Mateo Kovacic and Ross Barkley for the last slot in the Italian coach's three-man midfield and has been forced to wait for his chance to impress.
Sarri said on Friday that Loftus-Cheek will remain with the club in January and while he is happy to stay, the Blues' academy product acknowledges he hasn't played enough this season.
"I hear it a lot, and I can see why people are saying that, because I'm 22 now and haven't got too many Premier League starts to my name," he told Sky Sports' Soccer AM.
"I haven't played too many minutes, whether it be in the Premier League and the Championship, and at 22 it's not seen as enough by some people. I do hear it. I love the club and I love Chelsea, I want to play for Chelsea.
"Last season [moving to Palace on loan] was a decision I made because I hadn't played any football really, at the age of 21, and last season was great for me at Palace.
"I think I had 24 [appearances] in the Premier League, and then to go on and make my England debut. I made a lot of steps last year.
"Playing football was massive for me and you can see why people want to see me play, and I want to play as well."
With Eden Hazard a doubt for Sunday's clash with Crystal Palace after struggling a back injury, Loftus-Cheek could be in line to face his former loan club.
