Loftus-Cheek reveals why Tuchel recalled him for England duty after 6 years | OneFootball

Milan midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek laughed when asked about playing at right wing-back for England national team head coach Thomas Tuchel, but feels that his tactical versatility is one of the main reasons why he has been recalled to the Three Lions set-up for the first time in over six years.

Confirmation arrived on Tuesday that Loftus-Cheek had been called up to the England squad for the first time since 2019 following the withdrawal of Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton.

The former Chelsea midfielder has started in all of Milan’s first three competitive matches of the 2025-26 season, and is fresh off a goalscoring, man of the match performance in a 2-0 victory over Lecce in Serie A.

Why Tuchel recalled Loftus-Cheek for England duty

BURTON-UPON-TRENT, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 09: Ruben Loftus-Cheek of England looks on during a England training session at St Georges Park on September 9, 2018 in Burton-upon-Trent, England. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)

Loftus-Cheek admitted that it has been so long since his last England call-up, that he had begun to consider himself a supporter rather than a player.

“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 of the team instead,” Loftus-Cheek said during his press conference on Wednesday (via BBC Sport).

“If you’ve got good people around you it is going to help you so much, but the main thing comes from your self drive,” he continued. “That belief, to overcome challenges, is paramount in sport and in life – that you have this mentality in overcoming challenges.”

Loftus-Cheek laughed when he recalled his first interactions with Tuchel when the pair worked together at Chelsea. The now England head coach had asked the midfielder to do a job for him at right wing-back.

LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 23: Ruben Loftus-Cheek of Chelsea takes instructions from Thomas Tuchel, Manager of Chelsea before coming on a substitute during the UEFA Champions League group H match between Chelsea FC and Juventus at Stamford Bridge on November 23, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

“I remember when he came into Chelsea and he came to me and spoke to me about playing at right wing-back, I said no no no no no. But I played there anyway,” Loftus-Cheek laughed.

“I played many positions under Tuchel and he values my physicality so I am used to working under him. He’s a very, very intelligent guy, a very intelligent manager and knows the game so well.”

Loftus-Cheek on Milan role and World Cup longshot

PERTH, AUSTRALIA – JULY 31: Ruben Loftus-Cheek of AC Milan controls the ball during the match between Perth Glory and AC Milan at HBF Park on July 31, 2025 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

Loftus-Cheek was asked if he has any ambition of being included in Tuchel’s squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup.

He replied: “Who knows. I’m able to play in a lot of different positions. Since I’ve been at AC Milan I’ve 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’m 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.”