Chelsea plan to open contract discussions with 23-year-old midfielder

Chelsea are reportedly prepared to open discussions with Ruben Loftus-Cheek regarding a new long-term contract amid his promising form for the club in the second half of the season.

The England international started the season as a regular on the bench but he has begun earning more gametime as the campaign has progressed after overcoming a niggling back problem.

According to The Sun, the Blues are keen to hold onto the 23-year-old on a long-term basis and they are prepared to discuss a contract extension with the midfielder in the near future.

Loftus-Cheek has made a total of 37 appearances for the Blues over the course of the season, but only 15 of them have resulted from the starting lineup under Maurizio Sarri.

Still, he has been more of an influence on the west London side since the turn of the year and has started four of the club's previous five games in the Premier League alone.