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Ruben Loftus-Cheek believes that his experience playing in Italy has helped get an England recall, and that Massimiliano Allegri will provide a further boost.
With Adam Wharton withdrawing from the England squad due to injury, Thomas Tuchel chose to call Loftus-Cheek up for the first time in six years. The last time he played for his country was against Christian Pulisic’s United States, but he will get a chance again over half a decade on.
It is reward for a strong start to the season under Allegri in which he has started both league games so far and scored the winner in the 2-0 win over Lecce last Friday night, following an impressive preseason campaign.
Good to be back
Loftus-Cheek spoke at a press conference three days before England face Andorra at Villa Park, and his comments were relayed by the BBC.
Ruben, you are back in the squad…
“It’s been a long time. I was part of the 2018 squad and even the season after I was called up but just missed on injuries all the time and then of course I ruptured my Achilles.”
Did you go back to being a fan while not part of the team?
“When I did rupture my Achilles, at that time I was on such a high, so after that I had a hard time mentally. But I was still young so I still had time to come back so I wasn’t too low.
“Being away from the squad for so long I kind of got used to not going. You still want to push in club football with the hope of maybe getting a sniff. But I just completely forgot about it and was being a fan for the team instead.
“We were so close in 2018 and the boys have been incredibly close in the years after. It was nerve-wracking watching those games and we just missed out. You hope for the future that we can go all the way.”
What does Thomas Tuchel want from you?
“When he [Tuchel] came into Chelsea and he spoke to me about playing wing back, I said no way. But I ending up playing there anyways! I played many positions under Tuchel and he values my physicality so I am used to working under him.
“He is a very intelligent and knows the game so well. Hopefully we can do well to connect with him.”
When did you find out about the call-up?
“I was notified before the weekend to just be ready, but I wasn’t in the first squad. With Milan, we played Friday and I had a couple of days to see my family so I was in England anyway, with my family, and got the call I would be coming to join the squad. It was a nice feeling.
“It was a text first [from Ruth, not Thomas Tuchel] saying where are you? I said I was in England and she said perfect. I was actually at my mum’s house, so it was a good feeling.”
You played football as a youth in London and so many of your childhood friends have progressed into professional football…
“That’s where I played my football [as a youth] – on the streets and in the cages every day. I think you developed technically. Even though I am a big guy, I developed technically a lot in those cages.
“I don’t know if that is what it is but all the boys who have come from London did the same thing in the cages every day after school. It helped me develop so much technically so when you step on a big pitch it becomes easier.”
What was it like playing under Tuchel?
“When Tuchel came to Chelsea, I was still on my loan at Fulham and this was the year after my injury. I had a year to feel myself again.
“I didn’t know too much about him [Tuchel] as a manager when I came back. I did pre-season with Chelsea and that’s when we spoke about playing wing-back. I also played centre-back for one game and right-wing back so a number of positions for him.
“After working with him, I know that he knows me as a player so I thought that if I was doing well, I would have a chance. I knew the manager would be keeping tabs on the players playing abroad so I thought I might get a shout.”
What is it like under Allegri at Milan?
“He is a very intelligent manager. He is very experienced and has won loads in the past. We were very excited when he joined this summer and we hope to achieve good things under him.”
Have you used a sport psychologist or advice from people close to you to come through mental challenges as a footballer?
“If you have got good people around you it is going to help you so much, but I think the main thing comes from your self drive.
“That belief, to overcome challenges, is paramount in sport and in life – that you have this mentality in overcoming challenges because there will always be challenges in life. Being able to accept that and try to work through it, if you have that mentality it is gong to take you places.”
Will your versatility help you get a World Cup spot?
“Who knows. I am able to play different positions. Since I was at AC Milan I have played a lot higher and close to the striker to get goals and help the team in the final third.
“Under Tuchel I played a lot deeper. I am able to do that and with things that can happen in a tournament, being versatile is a good thing. When it comes to that I am happy to play anywhere for the team and do my best in any position.”
Could playing in Italy, in hotter temperatures, also give you an advantage?
“I am definitely used to playing in hot temperatures now in Italy. The football is different, and it is good to experience different kinds of football to get that experience for tournaments.
“I think it just builds into your experience as a player – your repertoire to handle different situations, different scenarios in a game – it can only help. In that way I am grateful to have that experience.”
Tell us a bit more about Tuchel wanting you to play wing-back…
“I had never played in that wide position before and Tuchel suggested that I am a powerful runner and have the pace to play there and the physically to get up and down at speed.
“I ended up playing there a lot in that season. I was happy to play but it was just the shock of the suggestion which was the funny thing! I started to do quite well there and feel the position and it became comfortable for me.”
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