Deciding what to do with Ruben Loftus-Cheek is a difficult one, and the situation must be carefully considered by AC Milan.
When Loftus-Cheek joined Milan under Stefano Pioli, there was a lot of excitement about what he could do. In his first year, he proved that people were correct to hope with him, as he recorded one of his best ever seasons.
Unfortunately, it has rarely gone like that since then.
What to do?
In just a few days, as MilanNews writes, the Englishman will enter his 30s. He is no longer in the players with potential category, but one seeing out the final stages of his career, and that makes the future difficult to navigate.
As a squad player, he is a fantastic option, and he provides Massimiliano Allegri with a versatile profile which cannot be found easily. However, his €4 million salary can quickly look like a burden, even if he gets the benefits from the Growth Decree.
So, the question must be asked, what does the Rossoneri do from here. Earlier today, Fabrizio Romano reported that renewal discussions had started, but the report insinuates that there will likely be no interest in lowering his current wage.
Is this version of Loftus-Cheek worth €4m per season? That is a question that must be asked, and time is running out to get the most from his transfer.
In 18 months, he will leave the club for free if nothing changes. However, interest is present from the Premier League, which he seems keen to listen to, if nothing else.
A lot of questions must be asked, and Igli Tare must work with Allegri to decide whether he is worth the money he earns. Indeed, it is a difficult decision to weigh up.
It’s a tough call, because I don’t think we should be messing around with the midfield at this point in the season. We’re already facing depth issues in attack and defense. But a good offer for a player that has never been at his best and is often injured is hard to say no to. The problem is, who do we replace him with? We’ll at least need to bring in another body, because if he’s not replaced a single injury will leave our three man midfield, which starts a 40 year old, very short.
Sorry, not never at his best, but rarely.
He is struggling of late.
I am not too worried about the midfield coverage as it would give Ricci and Jashari more minutes, and maybe some youth player.
Probably the bigger issue is his flexibility as he also covers out wide and upfront.
Probably best to leave it. There’s little point in going out to find a replacement substitute midfielder, wide player and striker at this stage of the season.
Finding a replacement or at least coming up with a plan to replace him would be the right move now. Consider him gone because he will not lower his wages and we will no renew with him for that reason. Just try to get the most out of him at this point.
what is sad is that we had the chance to sign Timber for less than 5M… even if Quentin, who is a regular for Netherlands already (can attack, defend and is a workhorse), didn’t become our starter he’s still better than RLC and Fofana…
Fofana can easily be way better if he just learnt how to attack, his strength, defense and distribution are good, but being higher up the pitch is what messing him up. he doesn’t have the reflexes and technique for tight spaces and in Italy unfortunately attackers need to have that ability.
Lol stop it, why would we be sad, the club didnt even considered him
I’m not a big RLC fan but I’d avoid selling him now unless a stupid offer comes in. Maybe in the neighborhood of 25M. Sell in the summer for whatever price you can get.
I don’t know that anyone is advocating for a renewal on RLC.
Moving him would be a salary dump to make room for Maignan’s and others’ salaries.
I can’t see them renewing at that salary. He is way over paid for what he has provided. By Serie A wage standards.
This season if he hadn’t been helping as cover for the injured forwards. Then he wouldn’t have featured much.
Considering how much of a battle it has been to renew Mike on 5M + bonuses. There is no way they will keep paying a 30 year old RLC 4 M.
Sell him ASAP even without replacement
Just Sell Him and Maybe Get Maatsen Guessand or Onana on loan with option to buy
Sell. It would force more playing time to Ricci and Jashari and possibly a youth player. Sell esp if the offer is above break even
Sell him and bring in Javi Guerva. We were after him and almost closed so I’d go after him now.
Sell this twat immediately smh
Sell. Bring in Comotto
Sell and bring Zeroli back from loan and give him a shot.
Zeroli and Comotto would be great.
On one hand I’d like him to leave because I think Ricci & Jashari are better and HATE when Allegri plays RLC up front.
On the other hand RLC does have good attributes and I have zero faith in Tare replacing him properly. If he spent the 20m on a decent winger, great. But he’ll buy a mid-table centre mid or centre back.
The upside is that RLC is English. That means teams in the PL will pay their absurdly high English tax to get him versus a comparably skilled non-English player. Sell sell sell. Milan has midfield depth already.