According reports coming out of England, Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek could require season-ending back surgery, claims The Sun. Loftus-Cheek was left in tears after being forced off during Chelsea’s FA Cup third round win over Nottingham Forest earlier this month due to a persistent back problem.
The England international hopes to return to training soon but Chelsea are concerned the problem will return and are contemplating surgery. Going under the knife would almost certainly rule Loftus-Cheek out for the rest of the season and also England’s UEFA Nations League Finals in Portugal in June.
The 22-year-old has endured a frustrating campaign and back surgery could call time on his Chelsea career, as Maurizio Sarri lines up midfield reinforcement this month. Loftus-Cheek has only started one Premier League match this season and made a further eight appearances from the bench. Despite a lack of playing time, the powerful midfielder has netted three goals, one every 109.6 minutes of action.