AC Milan will sign Ruben Loftus-Cheek in January according to journalist Paul Lagan, and he has tipped him to shine in Italy.
Virtually all major sources are reporting that Milan are advancing in talks to sign Loftus-Cheek from Chelsea in what would be the latest bit of business done between the clubs after the transfers of Fikayo Tomori, Tiemoue Bakayoko and Olivier Giroud.
With the move seemingly getting closer and closer it is important to get some insight regarding what Milan can expect from the midfielder, the kind of expertise you might find with BLC SHARP essays.
MilanNews spoke to Paul Lagan about Loftus-Cheek, who writes for Capital Football and has followed Chelsea for the last 30 years.
Will Loftus-Cheek join Milan?
“Yes, Ruben will go to Milan in July.”
Why did Chelsea decide to sell an important and still young player like Loftus-Cheek? On top of that he’s a fan favourite who always sing ‘he is one of our own’?
“The player has only one year on his contract at Stamford Bridge with the option to extend for a further season and he represents an important asset for the club. By selling him now they will still be able to get something back.
“He has been at the club since he was eight and since making his first-team debut in 2014 he has played more than 100 games for the Blues as he won the Premier League, Europa League and a Super Cup as well as caps for the England national team, which shows his pedigree.
“But perhaps the time has come for the player to leave Chelsea, which is his family and home.”
A rich club like Chelsea certainly doesn’t need money. it seems strange that with Mauricio Pochettino he isn’t given an opportunity to demonstrate his potential, especially since the former Tottenham manager has shown that he knows how to get the best out of English players like Kane, Dier, Trippier and Rose?
“Pochettino knows that Chelsea need to thin out their current squad [the club has 33 players] and Ruben is no longer part of the project. However, this decision was taken before Pochettino’s arrival at Stamford Bridge and it wouldn’t be fair to say that the Argentinian coach played a key role in Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s departure.”
Are Milan fans who don’t know him eager to know what his best qualities are?
“First of all, in the Premier League there is no player who combines physical presence, strength and quality like Ruben. Unfortunately, despite this, he has never managed to establish himself in a single position on the pitch in the first team.
“He gives his best as an attacking midfielder, however the many Chelsea managers over the years have used him in different roles. For Antonio Conte he was even a striker, others used him as a winger or central defender.
“But at this stage of his career I see him clearly as a playmaker in front of the defence thanks to his build, he is 1.91m tall, has a commanding presence on the pitch and is very powerful when he strides forward with the ball at his feet.
“Removing the ball from him is a very difficult task because he knows how to protect it very well even at speed.”
What has he lacked so far to make the leap in quality?
“For many people he is one of the best midfielders in the Premier League. But perhaps he doesn’t realise how strong he is. He has a somewhat easy-going temperament but by going to Milan he will be able to reinvent himself both as a man and as a player. first year will make many detractors change their minds.”
Has he also suffered several very serious injuries which perhaps have slowed down his growth a bit?
“Early in his career he was frustrated because he didn’t play much. Then in 2018-19 he suffered a very serious injury, his Achilles tendon rupture had a negative impact on his linear development because he missed 38 games and was 280 out days, in short, an entire season.
“In total in his career he was out for 80 games with calf, thigh and foot injuries. And Covid has also held him back a lot. These injuries have not helped to silence those who say he is always broken. But I think the relapses are quite normal for a player with his physique.”
Another former Chelsea player, Fikayo Tomori, has done quite well for the Rossoneri his first two and a half seasons. How do you think Ruben will fit in?
“First of all, the priority will be to learn Italian as his former team-mates at Chelsea Fikayo Tomori and Tammy Abraham did. It is essential to immerse yourself in the new reality, learn the culture of the country and settle in a new dressing room.
“This will then have an important impact on his performances on the pitch. I’m sure he has everything to be loved by the Rossoneri fans like Ray Wilkins in the mid-80s.”
Of course we have to listen to him instead of just some random commenters who might have never even heard about RLC prior to this Milan rumour.
He’s an outstanding player when fit – I just worry knowing Milan’s outstanding record with injuries.
who will spell Giroud? more goals are needed just to be average. Cheek reminds of Bakayoko
oh yh right 2 assists every year of whatever contract they gonna give him wow very helpful
Leave him at London and sell Tomori, who has been very inconsistent this year. Get Frattesi instead and Scalvini
This is such a bad signing… if he “gives his best” at AM why are we signing him when we have Kamada coming in and CDK supposedly staying and brahim might even stay… seems unnecessary and way too expensive for this type and age of player. The line where he says that Chelsea want to “get something back” tells you everything.
This guy is having a laugh. “For many people he is one of the best midfielders in the Premier League.” 😂😂