Irons hope as Lampard allows Loftus-Cheek loan

Chelsea boss Frank Lampard has indicated Hammers target Ruben Loftus-Cheek could leave on loan this summer, as per his comments on Chelsea’s official website.

The player is of definite interest to the Hammers although Villa too are keen to take him on loan.

Lampard – in a very straightforward response to questions –  said: “I’m very open with Ruben and 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 and he needs to play coming off the back of a lot of work now. He would have been playing games earlier if it wasn’t for lockdown.

“There’s a possibility that he may go out to play games because I think that will be great for him. We hold him in very high regard here, I certainly do and that could be a good option for him. If that’s not the right option he’ll be competitive in this squad as well because of the qualities he has.

“I’m relaxed about it but I want to find the best path for Ruben and the best path for us so at the minute we’ll see with the week we’ve got ahead of us.”

Thus far this season the 24 year old was dropped after a disappointing outfit in the first game of the season against Brighton and Hove Albion and that may have encouraged Lampard to decide on the loan option.

And Claretandhugh understands that when the Hammers board became aware that he was available on that basis they made an immediate contact with the Blues.

He had a big injury last season and that may have contributed to his off colour first appearance against the south coast outfit and although on the face of it he would be an excellent addition to the Hammers squad his injury record is not good.

He was out for 280 days last term with a ruptured achilles and 93 with an ankle injury in 2017/18 so a careful appraisal will need to be made if the deal becomes a serious proposition.

Meanwhile the hunt for full backs seems more critical at the London Stadium with deadline day now six away!