The AC Milan English midfielder, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, spoke to the media in a press conference ahead of the match against Bournemouth at the Vitality stadium tomorrow.
Are you a leader in the dressing room given your experience?
"Now I have a lot of experience, thank you for mentioning my age (laughs.). I feel the responsibility on the pitch to bring my experience. These are the matches when you have to bring it onto the pitch, also because it will be a great match, with a very passionate stadium. I want to help the team as much as possible," as relayed via Milan News.
You left Chelsea three years ago: how much have you changed on and off the pitch?
"I think I have improved as a person and as a player. The league is different. I am enjoying the experience in Italy, learning the language and experiencing a different culture. So I have grown a lot as a person."
Are you ambitious about returning to the national team? Loftus-Cheek said:
“It is not the first thing on my mind. Milan deserves all my concentration. It is a period in which we will have a huge number of matches. We are a big team, and we have the pressure of winning matches. If I play well, the opportunity to return to the national team will come.”
How are you feeling today? Loftus-Cheek commented:
"Throughout my career, I have had problems with injuries. My biggest challenge has been feeling good from one season to the next. I think I have to accept how my body is, but I need to be better mentally. I am playing with confidence in my abilities. Today I feel good, I feel good when I am on the pitch. I give 100% for the team, for my team."
What has changed compared to last year?
"I think this year we have a lot of confidence in the coach, in ourselves and in achieving something. The whole team is united, and I feel that in the dressing room, at Milanello. I feel that we all want to achieve something and improve. There are things we obviously need to improve."
