The Times have today reported that Chelsea could abandon their midfielder search for the summer, as the new boss sees plenty of potential in The Blues youngster Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
Conte has been working at Chelsea for seven days now, and it’s expected that the manager has been impressed by the 20-year-old’s performances during the ongoing training camp in Austria.
Loftus-Cheek was used very occasionally under previous managers José Mourinho and Guus Hiddink, but Conte is hopeful that the England U21 international can make himself a key-member in his first-team plans next season.
Should Conte’s faith in Loftus-Cheek turn out to be misspent, the manager is reportedly ready to splash the cash in January if needed.
Chelsea midfielders Nemanja Matic and Cesc Fabregas’s futures can also have a say in Loftus-Cheek’s role at the club, as both of the players have been linked with an exit from Stamford Bridge.
As Manchester United are closing in to sign Juventus star Paul Pogba, the Italian outfit have set Matic as their number one replacement for the Frenchman.
The lanky Serbian’s happiness at Chelsea has been questioned for a long time following a luckless campaign last season, and it’s understood that the reign Serie A champions are big fans of the player.
According to Metro, the West London club are ready to sell Matic if his £15million valuation is met.
