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Ruben Loftus-Cheek has been reborn in Italy thanks to his experience at AC Milan.
He is a complete player who replaced Sandro Tonali, after his summer transfer to Newcastle, not only in the heart of the midfield but also that of the Rossoneri fans.
His transfer to Italy was considered a calculated risk by AC Milan, who chose the most cost-effective replacement for the Italian midfielder: they spent just £17 million (€20 million) on Loftus-Cheek.
The better climate, the abrupt change in diet and the presence of Rossoneri trainers specialized in preventing muscle overload allowed Loftus-Cheeck to become one of the irreplaceable players for Stefano Pioli, despite his previous injuries.
Here, Mail Sport’s Alvise Cagnazzo analyzes the midfielder’s resurgence since his arrival on Italian soil.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek has returned to his best form since moving to AC Milan in the summer
His performances in Milan have led to suggestions that he deserves an England retirement.
The numbers don’t lie…
During his 24 games in Serie A, his personal best at this point in the season, Loftus-Cheek has managed to score five goals and one assist.
Even in the Europa League, the former Chelsea star proved decisive, scoring three goals in his three appearances in the competition.
Loftus-Cheek has become a fundamental piece of Stefano Pioli’s Milan and the Rossoneri’s hope is that the Premier League has forgotten about him.
After his goals against Rennes and Slavia Prague in Europe, Loftus-Cheek needs just three more goals to equal his best tally in a season.
During his 75 minutes of appearance in the match, in addition to the 2 goals, he played 33 balls, completed 21 passes without errors and completed two dribbles.
Under the guidance of Stefano Pioli (left), Loftus-Cheek has become an indelible part of the team.
Southgate needs a player like him…
With Jordan Henderson and Kalvin Phillips struggling, it’s a surprise Loftus-Cheek’s name hasn’t come up more frequently in England conversations.
In fact, Gareth Southgate should consider giving the AC Milan star a starting role in England’s midfield.
The days of Steve Gerrard, Paul Scholes and Frankie Lampard are long gone, but Loftus-Cheek, given his impressive physical condition, can live up to his illustrious predecessors.
In the last month and a half, Loftus-Cheek has scored twice as many goals as in the previous five seasons combined, something Southgate must take into account.
In Italy he has also corrected his physical posture and, thanks to his work in the gym, he has developed a large portion of muscle that has benefited his game.
Italy has been a regenerative oasis for illustrious English players in the past, with the cases of Fikayo Tomori and Chris Smalling as proof.
The fate of British players choosing Italian football is calibrated according to different types of competitive approach.
In Serie A you run less than in English football but you acquire greater physical strength and individual technique.
With Jordan Henderson and Kalvin Phillips struggling, Loftus-Cheek deserves a look
Shining in Serie A…
Coach Pioli gave him confidence, directing him towards a second part of his career that was different from the previous one.
Milan recently explained to DAZN what they ask of the English player, saying: ‘He must score, he must fill the penalty area with muscles and technique.
“I’m not saying that he should always aspire to reach 10 goals in the championship, but he has to stay inside the area because he also scores with his head, he is good one-on-one. He has the qualities.”
After Teun Koopmeiners of Atalanta and Adrien Rabiot of Juventus, the Englishman is the third best attacking midfielder in Serie A.
He has physical strength, progressive speed and manages to win numerous acrobatic duels thanks to his perfect synchronization.
The 28-year-old is close to equaling his best scoring figure in the 2023-24 campaign.
Italy lacks midfielders of this technical-tactical weight and Loftus-Cheek has become Milan’s best signing in terms of performance and purchase cost ratio.
While Loftus-Cheek is more of a box-to-box midfielder and Sandro Tonali was more defensive, the former Chelsea star has no problem defending inside his own area.
His idols have always been Theirry Henry and Zinedine Zidane but, some time ago, the Englishman told Gazzetta dello Sport that he was inspired by Frank Lampard.
A lion of the midfield that he also had as a coach and it is not impossible that, if he stays longer in Italy, he could become the heir of the Chelsea icon by perfecting his technical qualities.