Ruben Loftus-Cheek admits Serie A is ‘more tactical’ than the Premier League and Christian Pulisic has ‘a new lease of life’ at Milan after Chelsea struggles.
The England international made the transfer from Chelsea over the summer for €18.4m plus bonuses and has impressed when fit with 15 Serie A appearances and four in the Champions League.
He contributed two goals and two assists, but was also on the treatment table with repeated muscular issues.
“It’s a very tough league,” RLC told Milan TV.
“All the teams are very tactically good, it’s so hard to break teams down and it’s like a chess game. We have to work so much more as a team in Italy, which has improved my game a lot. I’m learning and very happy to be playing here in Italy.
“I hope to improve more and learn more about the game in Italy. The coach and the staff are helping me a lot to improve and I look forward to the next six months.”
Loftus-Cheek’s best performance in the Rossoneri jersey has been in the Champions League against Paris Saint-Germain at San Siro.
“Sometimes as a player when the big games come around and the pressure is on, that’s when I personally thrive in those moments. Those are the games you want to play as a footballer, to make the difference in those games. The energy from the crowd and the pressure, it brings the best out of me.
“Sometimes you have those games where everything just works, everything comes off, you feel good, and that was one of those games.”
USMNT star Pulisic struggled at Chelsea, but has really flourished in Serie A with Milan.
“Pulisic has always been a top player, obviously it didn’t work out for him too well at Chelsea, but you can see at Milan he has this new lease of life. He’s happy, playing his football and he has been a key figure for us this season, with his goals and how he plays on the right side.
“He’s a fantastic player, we all know this and hope he continues his form.”
There is a new development this month with the arrival of Ibrahimovic to the Milanello training ground, working as a ‘consultant and senior advisor’ to coach Stefano Pioli and the staff.
“Ibrahimovic is a fantastic leader and an icon. He’s been around the squad a few times now, he talks to the players, he’s a very demanding figure and wants to win – just as he did on the pitch. We want that as well and it’s great to have him in and around the pitch.”
Italy, the team and the big games ⚔️@RLC looks back at his first half-season in Rossonero 🔴⚫#SempreMilan pic.twitter.com/uyzYtt2pD2
— AC Milan (@acmilan) January 9, 2024