Christian Pulisic might be the one stealing the headlines after the first two games of the season, but Ruben Loftus-Cheek is also deserving of praise.
MilanNews recall the request that Stefano Pioli made to the management before the summer window began: “The requests were to find wingers good in 1v1 situations, from in behind or from receiving the ball at their feet.
“Because last year we lacked in those games where we came up against deep block defences, so those individual plays can solve those situations for you.
“And then penetrating midfielders: we had in mind to build in a certain way and attack in another way, therefore to have a slightly more fluid construction with 5 players and to have slightly more fixed positions with 5 players on the ball.”
Pulisic and Tijjani Reijnders have already stolen the eye, Samuel Chukwueze, Yunus Musah and Noah Okafor will be seen more soon, but Loftus-Cheek has immediately been among the best performers since the start of preseason.
At 1.91m tall and with an imposing physique, the Englishman has shown an ability to play further forward – joining the front three at times – but also to help out in the defensive phase and to cover a lot of the ground in between
Loftus-Cheek is valuable in coverage and in aggression, because when he gets into his stride while carrying the ball opponents tend to just bounce off him. He is perhaps less flashy than Reijnders, but just as concrete when he needs to be.
He had nine successful passes in the attacking third against Bologna, three chances created, two key passes, two successful dribbles (only Leao had better with 3) and of course one assist.
What transpires from the pitch is that we’re really only at the beginning. Pioli asks his players to know how to read the spaces, to occupy them or to leave them free for team-mates, and Loftus-Cheek is ticking all the right boxes.
Against Roma and Inter, two particularly intense and physical teams, he will have to give continuity to this positive start.
Remember when people were doubting his abilities?
People need to realise Chelsea regularly lets go of talented players because they have no f’ing idea on how to build a team.
This is true. That’s why they cash out every 3 years..
Which is also ok for clubs like Milan to get talented players a bit cheaper than usual after chelsea is done with them. Joke club
That and they’re never happy. With their endless pit of money they’re always looking for the ‘next big thing’ which doesn’t help most of these younger players
Some people here might enjoy supporting them more since they are essentially Transfer Window FC and they also seem to think Milan has endless money which we are intentionally not using
I’m also doubted him at first. But yeah, when you don’t have too much expectation, then the star will shine brighter. Just like when Giroud joined, most of the fans including me thought that this guy was a finished article, but he was crucial in scudetto race and 2 world cup finalist in a row.
Hes been great so far, hopefully stay consistent and injury free.
I had the feeling he was gonna do good to Milan even when some fans here just blasted him without even seeing him play. The called him ‘Chucky’. It’s ok to doubt about a player or so but when you realize you were wrong and the players turn out to be a decent or good one, you have to admit you were wrong and keep supporting the others/team.
I know it’s hard for a lot of people in here and elsewhere. They close their eyes and stay silent on any good performances from the players because they are waiting for any mistakes to continue with their biased comments. This is not how you can call yourself fans!
Chelsea should be Milan’s feeder club. They by players that are good but can’t build a team for sh!t.
Soon they will sell players like Noni Madueke and Mudryk who already are not in their starting 11. Smh
99% people of here were fighting with me because I told them loftus is quality player but now everyone convinced and happy
Fighting against me
OHHHHHH REALLY??? I remember you. You are that bitch who always talk smack about Tomori and Ibra.
Good result for entire team Forza Milan always continue to work harder and stay fit for the entire season because the season is long Forza Milan second Star ⭐ is ours FORZA MILANO for eternity.
Milan will shine brighter, we all know the season is fresh but we also know that these lads will do well, the coach is doing a good job as well,RLC, Paulisic, Reinjaders are all criticise by many fans who claims Tonali is better than them all as if it’s not enough they said Torino and Bologna are small clubs, well Bologna held Juve on a one all draw, Roma fell for Verona, if Milan can gather as much point this first half of the season then the scuddetto will be a the major chae by next year.
Yes a good buy Ruben Loftus cheek .
I never doubted his ability..only concern was if he was fit .He appears to be ,and thus a huge asset for us,
Carry on playing the way he is for us ,and he will be called upon for international duty ..well done Loftus .
Him vs Tonali, I’d still take Tonali over him. I think that’s what ppl were originally comparing because at the time the market was young. Plus his injury record wasn’t that great. But we have him now so 🤷♂️. It’s early days still but he’s done well so far and is getting up to speed. He just needs to figure out how he can make the mostnof his main advantage which is his strength