Former striker Gianfranco Zola remembered Ruben Loftus-Cheek at Chelsea and described how he’s a ‘truly top player’ for Milan this season.
The 28-year-old English midfielder joined the Rossoneri from the Blues in the summer in a deal worth around €20m, adding an exciting option to Stefano Pioli’s squad. He’s immediately hit the ground running in Serie A, becoming a regular in the starting lineup.
Loftus-Cheek was the star of the show in Milan’s Europa League knockout playoff win over Stade Rennais on Thursday, scoring a brace to guide the club to a dominant first leg win. He’s now netted seven goals and provided two assists across 26 matches.
Speaking on page 21 of today’s Gazzetta dello Sport, Zola first explained why he was certain in the summer that Loftus-Cheek would shine at Milan.
“Because he is a great player and if he finds consistency by protecting himself from injuries, he is a truly top player. One of those who allow you to make a huge leap in quality, he breaks the balance, he jumps his man, physically very strong.”
He compared this Loftus-Cheek with the one he saw at Chelsea.
“Competing in a different league is always enriching, speaking from personal experience. Testing yourself in another country improves you and it applies to him too. Today he is even more complete.”
The former striker spoke about some of the Englishman’s roles on the pitch.
“He was born as an offensive winger, right or left. He adapted to the inside and then was one of the two central players in the middle. With this availability he was able to add ability in the defensive phase to his characteristics.
“However, he remains more effective if deployed in the opponent’s half of the pitch, more as a midfielder than as an attacking midfielder. A little wider feels comfortable for him. Pioli is a very good coach, he knows where to place him to make him increasingly effective.”
Zola was confident Loftus-Cheek would score more this season.
“He can easily reach double figures, he is always dangerous, effective on the counterattack, decisive in his runs. In the area he makes his physicality count.”
He touched on the player’s struggles with injuries.
“Yes, he has great skills, but he lacked consistency. If he maintains this consistency, he will have an increasingly greater impact on the team’s performances.”
The former forward spoke about where the Englishman could improve.
“He could train his long shots more. With power like his, he could finish from distance more often. He would also add these goals to his repertoire.
“Today he scores more with runs, freeing himself with dribbling or leveraging his usual physicality. However, shooting from distance is a basic technical gesture, he can do better.”
He commented on the comparisons with Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.
“It’s all there. Milinkovic remains stronger with his head, he hits with more conviction. But Ruben has another pace, he is even faster and more dynamic.”
Zola remembered meeting Loftus-Cheek at Chelsea.
“I didn’t think a player of that size could be so skilled at dribbling. With Sarri we tried training in confined spaces and quick one-twos. I thought Ruben was going to struggle, but instead he was very good. Maurizio was also immediately impressed.”
He spoke highly about the midfielder on a personal level.
“On a scale of one to ten he is a top-notch guy. A man, I appreciated him in particular for his availability.
“I had no doubts about the fact that he could be a revelation at Milan. I know him and respect him, I’m not at all surprised. I expected him to be able to have a similar impact here and I’m happy because he really deserves it.”
Finally, Zola discussed Loftus-Cheek’s chances of breaking back into the England national team.
“I hope so, he has paid for the usual injuries and competition in that role. England have very strong players in the middle, who have had more consistency. But if Ruben is fit, he absolutely has the quality for the national team.”