‘It’s more nerve-wracking watching it on the telly!’ – Loftus-Cheek has his sights set on World Cup | OneFootball

Ruben Loftus-Cheek admits it has been more nerve-wracking watching England in major tournaments than playing in them.

The AC Milan midfielder is back in the Three Lions squad for the first time since 2019 for the games against Andorra and Serbia this month, having been a late call-up because of an injury to Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton.

And the 29-year-old says he hopes he can play in next year’s World Cup instead of having to watch it again as a fan.

“It’s almost more nerve-wracking watching it on the telly than playing in these games for England,” Loftus-Cheek joked. “I hope I’m not watching one again and I can stay involved.”

The former Chelsea midfielder, who played under now Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel at the Blues, also says he has made peace with not managing to find his way into the England squad in recent years/

“Well, of course, I’m a lot more experienced,” he said, when asked about how he is different compared to the last time he played for England. “Mentally, you’re a lot more experienced and calmer in the head.

“I’m at peace with the past and looking to the future. But in that sense, you just feel a lot more experienced, calm, used to everything. I’ve played more games, played more big matches and you just feel more experienced.”