Ruben Loftus-Cheek is hoping to build on what was a positive first season with AC Milan, confident that the team has improved with the entrance of Paulo Fonseca. In an interview published this morning, the Englishman shared his thoughts on various topics.
Milan are currently in the United States for the Soccer Champions Tour and having played two games, only one clash remains. Loftus-Cheek has featured in both games, starting in the midfield tandem last time out as the Rossoneri beat Real Madrid 1-0.
Speaking to today’s edition of Gazzetta dello Sport (see photo below), Loftus-Cheek shared his thoughts on the pre-season, what he likes about Fonseca and the arrival of Alvaro Morata. It’s clear that the midfielder is optimistic ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.
A year of Milan, a year of Italy. How has his life changed? What have you learned about Italy and the world?
“In life, I like to go with the flow, without forcing anything. I want to stay in the moment. In the beginning, I only focused on football, now I understand more about you. In Milan you realise how much passion there is for football, while in London it’s different: there is more freedom there to go out without being recognised.”
One nice thing about this new life?
“I like the buildings of Milan. I live near the Duomo and there is an immediate sense of history in the city. I arrived alone, I miss my family a bit and my dog, a Doberman, which I left with my mother. I don’t see them much…”
Complicated?
“No, I changed country but I adapted quickly. I knew Fik and Oli, Tomori and Giroud, who gave me a great hand. Then I’m used to changes, I’ve played everywhere on the pitch…”
So let’s talk about Fonseca’s changes: what type is he?
“Very positive. We train very hard, very intensely, and that’s great. He always encourages us to ask questions, he wants to get his concepts across as quickly as possible. He seems very humble to me, in contact with reality.”
What does he ask you?
“Different things. We are making great steps, against City and Real we played really good football and we can still improve quickly.”
Let’s go into detail: what are the requests for you?
“We midfielders have to play close together to combine. As a team we want to build from the bottom, we must always have options to play the ball. In some situations I find myself being the most advanced player, but it depends on the rotations. We move around a lot.”
After a month, is there the idea of being able to reach the top?
“This group has the drive to do better every year, I can see it clearly. We have a new coach and we believe in him, we know what he wants and we go straight with his ideas. We have to have faith in the team but I want to go training after training, without exaggerating.”
And without exaggerating, what are your personal goals? Ten goals in Serie A?
“After scoring ten goals last season, I absolutely want to improve. Yes, ten goals in the next season… it can be done.”
Up front, the idea is that Alvaro Morata scores fifteen. As a former teammate at Chelsea, is he the player you needed?
“He is a top player, he has won a lot in his career and having a player like him can only help us. I can’t wait to play with him. Alvaro and Giroud are similar because they have won a lot, they have experience. In the short time we shared in London, I understood that Morata is a very kind person and works hard: with someone like that, you’re not surprised if the trophies arrive. And then he is the captain of Spain, he brings communication and leadership. He will be great for us. I can’t wait for him to play here and be a leader for this team.”
What about Loftus-Cheek’s leadership?
“I have never been a great talker on the pitch, I like to lead by example, take on my responsibilities, and lend a hand physically. It’s something different.”
Who is the most vocal on the team? Maignan?
“Mike, yes, for sure. Then Fikayo, comes second by a little.”
A look at the past. One good and one bad thing about the year with Pioli?
“The good: second place, which is not first but should be taken positively. The bad: the Europa League quarter-finals. We had a good chance and we didn’t take advantage of it.”
Moving forward perhaps would have helped for a call-up to the European Championship. Disappointed by Southgate choosing others? Did you see the European Championships or… is it better to do something else?
“No no, I saw them. I thought we would win but something was missing at the end. England has made notable progress under Gareth Southgate, playing semi-finals and finals in major tournaments. We were just unlucky.”
So no hard feelings?
“No, it’s part of football. In fact, I was proud of the boys.”
Since we are in the days of the Olympics, a game to close. Three names for each category: we have to give gold, silver and bronze medals. Let’s start with the phenomena: Maradona, Messi, Zidane.
“Zidane is my favourite: gold. Messi silver. Maradona bronze.”
Italian style: Baggio, Totti, Del Piero.
“This is the order, I won’t change anything: Baggio gold, then Totti silver and Del Piero.”
Last: phenomenal full-backs. Florenzi, Cafu, Dani Alves. Ok, this wasn’t serious, let’s say a tribute to the injured Florenzi…
“Well, Florenzi gold. Cafu Silver. Bronze Dani Alves.”
Milan will start the season on August 17, taking on Torino at home, and it remains to be seen how the stating XI will look. One would have to imagine that the likes of Mike Maignan and Theo Hernandez will start, despite not working with the team this pre-season.
