Ruben Loftus-Cheek spoke to the media as he was called up for the first time in 6 years to the England national team.
Here are his words, as relayed via those at BBC:
On his return to the England national team:
"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. 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."
England midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek on watching the England team continue to play after 2018:
"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."
Ruben Loftus-Cheek on getting 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."
On where he was when he got the call:
"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."
On what Thomas Tuchel wants from him:
"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."
On his reaction to playing right-wing back and how Thomas Tuchel helped him see his potential:
"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."
On the experience of playing in Italy for AC Milan:
"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."
Loftus-Cheek on being a versatile player and if it can help him secure a spot in the World Cup squad list:
"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."
On whether he has used a sport psychologist or advice from people close to him 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."
Ruben Loftus-Cheek on playing under Thomas Tuchel at Chelsea in many different positions:
"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."
On working under Max Allegri at AC 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."
