Ruben Loftus-Cheek will need to adapt to a new role within Paulo Fonseca’s AC Milan if he is to have a long-term future at the club.
As highlighted by Calciomercato.com, the English midfielder is unlikely to play in the same way this season as he did under Stefano Pioli in his first year at the club.
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There is no denying that the former Chelsea player was one of the players of the season in 2023/24, but pre-season has shown that Fonseca wants to shake things up despite playing the same 4-2-3-1 formation.
The attacking trio behind the main striker is expected to comprise Rafael Leao on the left and Samuel Chukwueze on the right, but with Christian Pulisic in the middle rather than Loftus-Cheek given he is a faster runner and a more naturally gifted attacker.
Therefore, Loftus-Cheek will need to drop back into the double pivot and play a deeper role, with a more defensive player alongside him. The club hope that will be Youssouf Fofana if the deal can be done.
There is no suggestion that Loftus-Cheek is unwilling to play this role and earn his place, as he has been available in pre-season from the moment Fonseca arrived and is clearly working hard.
Were do we put Tijani and Bennacer then?
They’re a bigger priority than loftus-cheek in the double pivot.
I wonder oo
On the bench bro. Big clubs have quality on the bench as well. Fofana isn’t here (yet) anyway, so we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it. I also have a sneaking suspicion that if Fofana does arrive, Bennacer will be sold to recoup capital and lessen the numbers in the middle.
It’s not like pulisic and samu can play every single game anyway.
Plenty of games where rlc can rotate to play as on of the double pivot or as am.
Reijnders and fofana will take that spot there is no room for rlc in our squad it’s better if we sell him now before his values drop
That’s a ridiculous statement. Of course there is room for him. Like the article says he was one of our top performers last season despite the irrational hate he gets on this site. He can play multiple positions well, there are always injuries and players need rest. Not to mention I don’t see Chuku keeping that starting spot long just because he had a couple good pre-season friendlies. I can see Pulisic being moved back out there when Chuku returns to his regular season form. Also, I’m not nearly as impressed with Reijnders as some people on here. I can see RLC starting plenty of matches in his place.
You are are saying absolute rubbish.. infact you are rubbish.
Stfu he’s stating facts your just too dumb to understand
What rubbish are you saying
Why can’t he play as a ST? I see potential… he is a tall monster with strength , shooting and smell of goals…
Fonseca is genius, he can make rlc st monster.
Change is the law of life. He’s a footballer, and should easily adjust to a new position; it’s nothing new for them. It means more competition, which is good for the team. No position is automatic for anyone of them, anymore. We still have Musah, Adli, and Pobega, who are still in the team. Pulisic has played different positions from his time at Dortmund. As long as the coach doesn’t favour anyone, we can get the best out of all of them.
Genuine question, where can he really play in the current setup? Seems like he’s another odd one out. He’s not a DM or CAM and is most suited in a 433 which we’re not exactly playing
433 , that’s what we should be playing. Better fit for our current midfielders