Ruben Loftus-Cheek could emerge once again for AC Milan, and this season’s opening has shown as much so far.
There is a lot of hope for Loftus-Cheek, after all, this is someone whose career has been massively derailed by injuries. However, he remains a good footballer with confidence, and at 29, he probably can still make a big impact.
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Finding a place for him in the Milan team, though, will be difficult after a summer of midfield signings, even after his solid opening to the season. So, Massimiliano Allegri has a problem to solve, and it will not be easy.
Loftus-Cheek: Six years on
Despite him still playing in an elite European setting, there is a feeling that Loftus-Cheek could and should have been much more. Perhaps, in another world without his injury issues, he would be. However, it is not to be.
So, today, Luca Gotti spoke to Gazzetta dello Sport about him, having coached him at Chelsea, as MilanNews relays.
So what kind of Loftus-Cheek should we expect?
“I think this could be his year. AC Milan is growing, and Ruben is with the team. He’s also back in the national team after a great preseason. He’s off to a good start, and if consistency helps him this time… you’ll see the real Loftus-Cheek. All I say to the Rossoneri is to give him faith and pamper him, and he’ll repay you with stellar performances.”
Do you have anything to reproach him for?
“Yes, the fact that he hasn’t grown in some ways. I’m talking to you about Ruben as a young player. It’s been six years, and I still see him a bit behind in some ways. I’m thinking about concentration throughout the 90 minutes, consistency, and the ability to become increasingly more effective. He needs to learn to keep the spotlight on as much as possible throughout the match. Also, because when he shines, it’s a pleasure to watch.”
How do you see it with Allegri?
“I’ve known Max for many years, and we have a great relationship. The first thing I thought was that Allegri, as a player, played just that role. So he knows how to treat a player like that. And then also as a guy… Max, too, was someone who didn’t want to be caged in by tactics. A ‘little abbot,’ I’d say. Ruben is different, sure, he has much more strength and power, but I see him well in AC Milan’s midfield. And in Lecce, we only got a taste of it…”
Tactically, how and where do you see it?
“I think he’s a player who should be left free to express himself. He’s very quick and explosive, but we have to try not to overly restrict him. At Chelsea, for example, Sarri focused a lot on defense, but the midfielders, in his 4-3-3, had enough freedom to run into space and attack the goal. And I’d say the results were definitely visible…”
Hey Ben, Here is some of the comments this same coach made in the article that you missed;………
“Ruben is a special guy, really one of a kind,” Gotti told Gazzetta.
“He had the skills and plays of a real phenomenon, but let’s just say it depended on how the sun was shining and how strong he felt inside. Believe in me, he had qualities I’ve never found in any other player.
“He’s got an incredible shot and top-notch playing timing when making runs into the box. He’s a vertical, modern player. What impressed me the most was how he became dominant when he felt the trust of the dressing room; he would transform,” Gotti continued.
Loftus-Cheek was also a popular figure inside the Chelsea dressing room.
“Surely, that was another plus. I remember Ruben always smiling and joking with everyone,” Gotti added.
“Sometimes in the locker room, they’d even play tricks on him. But he had incredible kindness and a great sense of respect. Let me tell you this: once I ran into the training ground two hours after practice and asked, ‘What are you still doing here?’ He had stayed two hours taking pictures and signing autographs with the fans. ‘I was one of them just a few years ago,’ he told me. You see what I mean?”
Ben, he also said this in the same article….
“I think he should be given the freedom to express himself,” Gotti answered.
“He has great bursts and is explosive, but you need to avoid boxing him too much. At Chelsea, for example, Sarri placed a lot of emphasis on the defensive phase, but in his 4-3-3 system, the midfielders had enough freedom to attack the spaces and go for goal. And I’d say the results were clear to see.”
Thought I’d give this article more context….