What Thomas Tuchel Did to Ruben Loftus-Cheek at Chelsea Could Now Be Key to England Player’s World Cup Hopes

Ruben Loftus-Cheek is back in the England picture after an absence of more than half a decade and he admits: “It’s been a long time.”

The AC Milan midfielder last played for the Three Lions in a 3-o win over the USA in November 2018 — the same year he featured in four games at the World Cup in Russia.

But he is expected to win cap No 11 this month after being called up by Thomas Tuchel for the World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia.

Loftus-Cheek only got the call after an injury to Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton.

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, the 29-year-old told reporters how he found out he had been recalled.

“I was notified before the weekend to just be ready, but I wasn’t in the first squad,” he said. “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.”

Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Thomas Tuchel reunited

Loftus-Cheek has played under Tuchel before. He made 46 appearances for Chelsea in 2021 and 2022 during the German’s reign at Stamford Bridge, despite having initially been out on loan when the manager arrived.

But their relationship did not get off to the perfect start as Loftus-Cheek was not a fan of Tuchel’s tactical plan for him.

Loftus-Cheek said of Tuchel this week: “When he came into Chelsea and he spoke to me about playing wing back, I said ‘no way’. But I ended 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 very intelligent and knows the game so well. Hopefully we can do well to connect.”

On eventually impressing at right wing-back, Loftus-Cheek continued: “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 physicality 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.”

He added: “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 [of an England recall]. I knew the manager would be keeping tabs on the players playing abroad so I thought I might get a shout.”

Versatility could make Loftus-Cheek a strong candidate for World Cup squad

Tuchel was the first manager who really embraced Loftus-Cheek’s positional versatility. While the player was not impressed at first to be moved from his natural midfield position, it could eventually prove key to restarting his international career.

Asked if his versatility could help him earn a spot in next summer’s World Cup squad, he replied: “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.”

Loftus-Cheek’s injury issues

While club form for AC Milan and his performances during the current England camp will go a long way to deciding whether or not he goes to the World Cup, fitness could be an even bigger factor.

Loftus-Cheek’s career to date has been blighted by several injury issues. In addition to the Achilles tendon rupture in 2019, he has also suffered countless knocks and muscular problems.

Those injury issues took him out of England contention for a long time. So much so that Loftus-Cheek said he “completely forgot” about his own international career and reverted to being an England fan instead.

“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,” he explained. “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.”