Ruben Loftus-Cheek Reflects on England Absence and Versatility Under Tuchel
Ruben Loftus-Cheek has revealed that he "completely forgot" about representing England during his nearly seven-year absence from the national team, stating he was "just a fan" during that time.
The 29-year-old midfielder last donned the England jersey in a friendly match against the United States in November 2018, after being part of Gareth Southgate's squad that reached the semi-finals of the World Cup in Russia the same year.
Loftus-Cheek suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon in 2019 while playing for Chelsea in a friendly match in the USA, prior to the Europa League final, which led to his exclusion from the England setup.
In 2023, he joined AC Milan and has since made 71 appearances for the club across all competitions, scoring 11 goals and providing three assists.
Reflecting on his injury, Loftus-Cheek said, "When I ruptured my Achilles, I was on such a high before it happened, so after that, I faced significant mental challenges. However, I was still young and believed I had time to recover, so I tried to maintain a positive outlook."
He noted that he had "got used" to not being called up for England due to his lengthy absence, saying, "You still want to excel in club football with the hope of potentially earning a call-up, but I just completely forgot about it and became a supporter of the team instead."
Loftus-Cheek mentioned that it took him about two years to regain his form after the injury, emphasizing the importance of having supportive people around him. "Having good people around you helps immensely, but the key factor is your own drive," he explained. "Belief in your ability to overcome challenges is crucial in both sports and life."
Tuchel 'Values My Physicality'
England manager Thomas Tuchel, who previously managed Loftus-Cheek at Chelsea, is familiar with his capabilities, having utilized him in various roles. "When he [Tuchel] arrived at Chelsea and suggested I play as a wing-back, I was hesitant, but I ended up playing there anyway," Loftus-Cheek recalled.
He added, "I played in many positions under Tuchel, and he values my physicality, so I am accustomed to his coaching style. He is very intelligent and has a deep understanding of the game. I hope we can establish a strong connection."
In addition to wing-back, Tuchel also deployed Loftus-Cheek as a centre-back and in midfield. Loftus-Cheek believed he had a chance of being called up to the England squad, knowing that the manager would be keeping an eye on his performances.
However, he remained philosophical about his versatility and its potential impact on making the World Cup squad next year. "Who knows? I can play in different positions. Since joining AC Milan, I've played higher up the pitch, closer to the striker, to score goals and assist the team in the final third," he said. "Under Tuchel, I played deeper. I am adaptable, and given the unpredictable nature of tournaments, being versatile is advantageous. I’m ready to play anywhere for the team and give my best in any role."
England will play two World Cup qualifying matches during this international break, starting with a game against Andorra at Villa Park on Saturday, followed by an away match against Serbia next week.