‘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.’
Loftus-Cheek’s desire to play has been complicated further by the arrival of Kai Havertz and Hakim Ziyech in attacking areas of the team, which Lampard acknowledges will only add to the Londoner’s competition for a starting spot.
‘He wants to play and the reality is I have a lot of competition in those areas when I look at the squad,’ added Lampard. ‘Ruben is versatile – he can play different roles in midfield and sometimes off the side.
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