‘I think he’ll be a Chelsea player next year’ – Cascarino makes huge transfer prediction

That is the opinion of former Chelsea striker turned pundit Tony Cascarino.

Loftus-Cheek has spent this season on loan at London rivals Crystal Palace.

The midfielder has impressed while playing for the Eagles which earned him an England debut against Germany last November.

Cascarino believes Loftus-Cheek is a similar type of footballer to Chelsea and Germany legend Michael Ballack.

And he cannot see the Blues letting him leave this summer, which he believes would be a big mistake.

“He’s Michael Ballack of the midfield,” Cascarino told talkSPORT.

“He can be an attacker, he shields the ball brilliantly, and for Wilf (Zaha’s) goal… his tight control in possession – he does it brilliantly. You cannot ignore him.

“He won’t be the Mo Salah, the Kevin De Bruyne that’s let go by Chelsea.

“If any club thinks they are going to snatch him away from Chelsea on the cheap, that is not going to happen to Loftus-Cheek for me.

“I think he’ll be a Chelsea player next year.”

Loftus-Cheek has scored two goals in his 23 appearances in all competitions for Crystal Palace this season.