Thelwell and Lampard now plotting to bring £18m-rated Yaya Toure-esque gem to Everton - report

Ruben Loftus-Cheek wants to fight for his place at Chelsea amid interest from Everton and a number of other clubs, The Daily Mail’s Adrian Kajumba reports.

Loftus-Cheek scored his first Chelsea goal in three years on Sunday as the Blues beat Crystal Palace 2-0 at Wembley to secure a place in the FA Cup final.

The central midfielder came off the bench to replace an injured Mateo Kovacic, making his 32nd appearance of the season. He’s started 13 games across all competitions, playing just over 1,700 minutes in total.

Transfermarkt value the 25-year-old, who has two years left on his £150,000-per-week contract, at £18million.

BT Sport pundit Rio Ferdinand has described Loftus-Cheek as a ‘fantastic specimen’ and likened him to ‘Yaya Toure’ when he ‘gets in full pelt’.

Kajumba writes that Loftus-Cheek hopes to remain at Stamford Bridge and ‘kick on’ after regaining confidence.

Clubs such as Everton, along with West Ham and Jose Mourinho’s Roma, have been keeping tabs on the Englishman.

Frank Lampard and director of football Kevin Thelwell have weighed up making a move in the summer transfer window and offering him the chance to play more regular football.

All hope is not lost yet for Everton. This is Loftus-Cheek’s plan for the moment, but that could change before the start of next season. He could yet be pushed further down the pecking order, with Conor Gallagher due to return from a successful loan spell at Palace.

Gallagher has notched an impressive eight goals and five assists and also earned a call-up to the England squad last month. If Loftus-Cheek faces even more competition, then perhaps his stance on moving away will change.

Plus, Lampard will surely be well-placed to capitalise if Chelsea do look to arrange a