The September worldwide break brings a pause to Europe’s high home leagues. AC Milan will likely be sidelined from Serie A motion for every week as most of their stars return to their dwelling nations for World Cup qualifiers and friendlies. Christian Pulisic is, after all, with the USMNT—however one in every of his teammates may even be rejoining the England nationwide group after a very long time away.
An harm to Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton throughout Sunday’s match in opposition to Aston Villa compelled head coach Thomas Tuchel to make additions to England’s authentic squad for the upcoming matches in opposition to Andorra and Serbia. One of many gamers referred to as in was Bayer Leverkusen center-back Jarell Quansah. The opposite: Milan’s Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
For the Serie A midfielder, it was a shock choice, contemplating he had spent almost seven years away from the England nationwide group. His final call-up got here in November 2018, in a match in opposition to Pulisic’s USMNT, when he was nonetheless taking part in for Chelsea. That was adopted by a critical harm, and he hadn’t been referred to as up once more—till now.
“After I ruptured my Achilles, I used to be on such a excessive, so after that I had a tough time mentally,” Ruben Loftus-Cheek stated throughout a press convention on Wednesday, shared by the BBC. “However I used to be nonetheless younger, I nonetheless had time to come back again, so I wasn’t too low.”
Ruben Loftus-Cheek of England speaks to the media throughout a press convention at St George’s Park on September 03, 2025.
With a lot time away, the midfielder progressively started to really feel additional faraway from England. “You continue to wish to push in membership soccer with the hope of perhaps getting a sniff. However I simply utterly forgot about it and was being a fan of the group as an alternative,” Ruben admitted.
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Tuchel is aware of Loftus-Cheek nicely
Loftus-Cheek’s return to the England squad was undoubtedly influenced by his earlier reference to Thomas Tuchel. The midfielder performed underneath the coach in the course of the 2021–22 season at Chelsea, showing in 40 matches and scoring as soon as. “I performed many positions underneath Tuchel and he values my physicality so I’m used to working underneath him,” Ruben stated.
Concerning his function with England on this new chapter, Loftus-Cheek made his versatility clear. “I’m able to play totally different positions. Since I used to be at AC Milan I’ve performed quite a bit larger and near the striker to get objectives and assist the group within the ultimate third,” he stated.
“Underneath Tuchel I performed quite a bit deeper. I’m able to do this and with issues that may occur in a match, being versatile is an effective factor. In relation to that I’m pleased to play anyplace for the group and do my finest in any place,” Loftus-Cheek concluded.
What’s subsequent for England?
Through the September worldwide break, England can take a serious step towards securing qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. They at the moment sit atop Group Ok with 9 factors, 4 forward of second-place Albania, who’ve additionally performed yet one more match.
On Saturday, September 6, England will face Andorra at Villa Park, adopted by a go to to Serbia on Tuesday, September 9, in Belgrade. Two wins in these fixtures may depart Tuchel’s facet on the point of qualification.
