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Chelsea youngster Ruben Loftus-Cheek hoping for loan move amid frustration at lack of first-team opportunities

The 19-year-old has played just 62 minutes of league football this season

Wednesday 11 November 2015 10:46 GMT

Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Getty Images)

Chelsea youngster Ruben Loftus-Cheek is disillusioned with the amount of first-team opportunities at Stamford Bridge and is actively exploring potential loan moves, according to reports.

The 19-year-old has only played 62 minutes of league football so far this term, on top of single appearances in the Champions League and Capital One Cup.

According to a report by The Times, Loftus-Cheek expected to make significant inroads into Chelsea’s first-team this season and, following last month’s league defeat to Southampton, was promised a lengthy run in the side by manager Jose Mourinho.

Chelsea player ratings vs Stoke City

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1/11Chelsea player ratings vs Stoke City

Chelsea player ratings vs Stoke City

Asmir Begovic - 6 out of 10

Made a superb save to deny Johnson early on, but will feel he could have done more to keep Arnautovic’s superb volley out after getting a hand to the shot.

2015 Getty Images

Chelsea player ratings vs Stoke City

Cesar Azpilicueta - 4 out of 10

After a relatively comfortable first half, the defender – playing once again at right-back – failed to mark Arnautovic closely enough before he scored.

2015 Getty Images

Chelsea player ratings vs Stoke City

Kurt Zouma - 5 out of 10

Had the perfect chance to open the scoring for the visitors but went too early and was flagged as offside. However, after having a near-perfect first half in terms of his defensive work, he panicked while trying to clear Johnson’s cross out of Walters’ way, and it eventually fell to goalscorer Arnautovic.

2015 Getty Images

Chelsea player ratings vs Stoke City

John Terry - 4 out of 10

Should have communicated better with Baba Rahman in the build-up to the opener after running out of position to try and track the run of Johnson – but ultimately failed to do so after he allowed the Stoke defender to get his cross in.

Chelsea player ratings vs Stoke City

Baba Rahman - 4 out of 10

Lost the battle on the left flank with Shaqiri several times – getting a yellow card for a foul on the Stoke winger in the process – before failing to do enough to stop Johnson from getting his cross into the box in the build-up to the opener.

Chelsea player ratings vs Stoke City

Nemanja Matic - 5 out of 10

Kept Bojan quiet in the first half, winning tackles and distributing the ball well although he did deliver one disappointing pass to no one as Chelsea looked to attack one final time in the first half. However, he struggled to keep a hold of Stoke’s attacking players in the second period.

2015 Getty Images

Chelsea player ratings vs Stoke City

Ramires - 5 out of 10

Had two great chances to hand Chelsea the opener in the first half but poked his first wide before being denied by Butland with his second.

Chelsea player ratings vs Stoke City

Eden Hazard - 6 out of 10

His pace caused Johnson several problems and the Belgian was important in driving Chelsea’s attacking plays forwards as well as setting up his teammates for chances although they couldn’t convert them.

Chelsea player ratings vs Stoke City

Pedro - 6 out of 10

Linked up well with Willian and Hazard and ran riot across the width of pitch in the first half before being unlucky to hit the post as Chelsea trailed 1-0. Came off with 20 minutes to go but enjoyed a positive match on his return from injury.

2015 Getty Images

Chelsea player ratings vs Stoke City

Willian - 6 out of 10

Was one of Chelsea’s better players at the Britannia Stadium – as he has been for the Blues all season – but saw his creative powers restricted when compared to against Dynamo Kiev after being played in the middle instead of the flank.

Chelsea player ratings vs Stoke City

Diego Costa - 5 out of 10

Should have scored when he failed to stretch out in time to meet Hazard’s cross, while looking slightly unsure in front of goal during some of his other chances.

2015 Getty Images

However, the midfielder has not appeared for the club’s first-team since playing the opening 45 minutes against Aston Villa on 17 October.

As Chelsea’s disastrous start to the season stretches into the winter months, pressure is building on Mourinho to turn the club’s form around and Loftus-Cheek is reportedly aware that regular first-team football at Stamford Bridge is less likely as a result.

Loftus-Cheek, who is currently on international duty with England Under-21s, is now attracting interest from Premier League, SkyBet Championship and European clubs and hopes to move on a temporary basis when the transfer window reopens in January.

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Mourinho has taken a firm line with Loftus-Cheek in the past and was publicly critical of the youngster after his appearance in the 2-0 win over Aston Villa.

“I think he has to look to the intensity and the defensive tactical work that people like Ramires, (Cesc) Fabregas did and he didn't,” Mourinho said following the victory.

“He has to try to compare himself with others and understand why I didn't keep him in the game for 90 minutes.”

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