Loftus-Cheek admits injuries have limited his chances at Chelsea

Loftus-Cheek

made his debut for the Blues at the age of 18 as he was used as a substitute in the Champions League clash with

in December 2014.

Prior to the start of the 2021-22 season, the 25-year-old midfielder has only started 33 times for

in all competitions.

The numbers are low for the midfielder, who joined the London club at the age of eight, as he has had an unlucky time with injuries, suffering an Achilles tendon rupture back in 2019.

However, he has been on fine form so far this season and Chelsea boss

Thomas Tuchel

has given more chances to play for his boyhood club.

Speaking to the club’s official website,

Loftus-Cheek

expressed his current enjoyment while admitting injuries have limited his chances so far in his career.

"It doesn't surprise me to be honest,"

he responded when asked about his lack of league starts for Chelsea as he approaches the 100-game milestone

.

"I've obviously been here a long time but I've had a lot of injuries along the way and I've been out on loan twice now so that's just the way my career has gone.

"It’s quite a low number that I'd like to build on and now is the time to really hit the ground running.

He made 21 Premier League starts last term for

and he scored twice and provided three assists but could not stop the Cottagers from relegation.

"After my injury, I struggled to come back and regain that fitness or feel confident in my body but now, after a season of playing a lot [at Fulham], I feel really good in myself mentally and physically. I'm in a good position to play well.

"I've always believed that I could make it but there have just been a lot of setbacks along the way. Despite that, I've always believed that I could play for Chelsea regularly.

"For me, it's just about staying injury-free and I've been that for over a year now for the first time in my career. There's something I can take from that and I'm really happy with myself.

"The extra work that I'm doing is keeping me on the pitch and available to play, which is the most important thing. On top of that, I have to do the work and play well on the pitch, which always feels natural for me anyway. When I'm feeling good, I generally perform well."

"It's a thing of the past,"

he added on his injury problems.

"I feel really good, as good as I've ever felt, and I believe I've passed that point in my life now."

Follow

for the