Former Crystal Palace manager Sam Allardyce thinks Chelsea youngster Ruben Loftus-Cheek could have been another Dele Alli or Harry Kane if he had left the Blues earlier.

The talented 21-year-old has joined the Eagles on a season-long loan move this summer.

“It's nice to see Ruben Loftus-Cheek going to Crystal Palace," Allardyce told the Press Association.

“I think if he'd done it five years ago he may well have been another Dele Alli or Harry Kane but unfortunately his development has been blocked by staying at Chelsea so long.

“There aren't enough (players) getting into first-team football as quickly as possible. You should be playing first-team football at some level at 17, not 20 or 21. Dele Alli is the perfect example of that, coming through the ranks at MK Dons.

“We need more players playing football at league level and ultimately going back to their club and trying to prove themselves."