Ruben Loftus-Cheek's future at Chelsea remains uncertain, with the midfielder again being linked with an exit from Stamford Bridge.

The 25-year-old has just under three years remaining on his contract with the Blues, but is continuously being linked with a move away from west London, after spending the 2020/21 season on loan at Fulham.

The Chelsea academy graduate, who has struggled with injuries in his short career, is now a target for numerous clubs across the Premier League and Bundesliga, according to The Sun.

The only named club in the report said to be interested in the Blues midfielder is Southampton.

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Thomas Tuchel Makes Ruben Loftus-cheek To Michael Ballack Comparison

Former manager Frank Lampard, who played Loftus-Cheek nine times across the 2019/20 season when he was recovering from a serious injury, is known to be a big fan of the English midfielder.

Speaking in January this year, not long before he was sacked and replaced by Thomas Tuchel, Lampard said: “The conversations I had with Ruben earlier in the season were that he wasn’t feeling as sharp as he wanted to be on the back of a really bad injury.

“He felt he needed games and maybe he could get regular games elsewhere.

“Seeing him play recently, I see him looking fit, fresh and strong.

"We know he’s an obvious talent so it’s great. If he can keep that up hopefully through the season, and if he can get back to where he was and more, then I’ll be very happy and he’ll come back as our player, for sure.”

The last line of those quotes contradict Chelsea's current plans, with Tuchel keen to loan the midfielder.

Tuchel himself spoke about Loftus-Cheek in the latter stages of last season where Chelsea beat Fulham 2-0, with the midfielder ineligible for the game because of his loan contract.

"I was quite a fan of him when he was even younger, when he came from the academy into professional football here at Chelsea," the German coach said.

"It reminded us a bit of his style of play and movements with Michael Ballack.

"There were some links about him all the time with maybe a move to the German league so we were well aware of him and his talent.

"Sometimes I don't know why things worked out as he wished and everyone wished but he is on loan now and doing well.

"He is leaving his footprints there and it would be unfair to judge him from TV, hearsay and what people say about him.

"I like to work with players and give my opinion then. Maybe also pretty quick but also from a direct impression.

"This is what I don't have. I don't know what the idea is, my opinion is or the club's opinion is. There's no decision made yet."

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