Chelsea will not entertain offers for the permanent transfer of Ruben Loftus-Cheek this summer, but could consider loaning the midfielder out for another season to maintain his development with regular first-team football. The 22-year-old youth-team graduate made his first World Cup start in Sunday’s 6-1 demolition of Panama having broken into the senior national set-up while enjoying a productive season-long spell at Crystal Palace. Loftus-Cheek made 24 top-flight appearances last season, despite missing three months mid-season with an ankle problem, having made only 22 over the three previous years at Chelsea. He played a major role in Palace finishing 11th after the worst start in Premier League history.

The midfielder expects to report back for pre-season training at Cobham late next month after enjoying an extended break post-tournament, but has already made clear he has no intention of reverting to a mere bit-part role at the club whose academy he joined at the age of eight. Palace are among a number of clubs, including West Ham and Everton, who would be interested in securing his services on another 12-month arrangement if Chelsea were willing to sanction the move.

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Other suitors had even hoped to secure the player permanently but Chelsea, regardless of the identity of their head coach next season, have already decided they will not consider a sale. The hierarchy at Stamford Bridge are convinced Loftus-Cheek has a significant role to play in Chelsea’s long-term future, even if they complete a deal for the Nice midfielder Jean Michael Seri this summer, and there is the possibility any loan move could yet be accompanied by a new long-term contract. His current deal expires in 2021.

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Maurizio Sarri is still expected to be appointed as Chelsea’s new head coach, succeeding Antonio Conte, ahead of the new campaign and the former Napoli manager would not have long to assess Loftus-Cheek first-hand before making a decision on his future in time for the early closure of the transfer window on 9 August. Yet the player’s focus, at present, is solely on playing a part in England’s challenge at the World Cup.