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.
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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.
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.