BURTON-UPON-TRENT, England: Midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek said on Wednesday he can play many positions on the pitch for Thomas Tuchel as he makes his return to the national team for the first time in seven years.
Loftus-Cheek, who played under Tuchel at Chelsea from 2021-22, was a late addition to the squad for this month’s World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia, being called up after Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton withdrew due to injury.
“It’s been a long time,” the AC Milan player said at England’s training base at St. George’s Park on Wednesday. “I was part of the 2018 (World Cup) squad and even the season after I was called up — and then of course, I ruptured my Achilles.
“Being away from the squad for so long I kind of got used to not going,” he added. “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.”
Loftus-Cheek came through the Chelsea academy as a central midfielder, but credits Tuchel with helping him become more versatile.
“When he came into Chelsea, he spoke to me about playing wing back. I said ‘No way.’ I ended up playing there anyway,” the 29-year-old said with a laugh. “Tuchel suggested that I am a powerful runner and have the pace to play there.
“I played many positions under Tuchel and he values my physicality... With things that can happen in a tournament, being versatile is a good thing.”
Loftus-Cheek’s career has been blighted by injury, but he is intent on helping England finally win their first trophy since the 1966 World Cup.
“We were so close in 2018 (fourth at the World Cup) and the boys have been incredibly close in the years after. It was nerve-wracking watching those games,” he said. “You hope for the future that we can go all the way.”
England play Andorra on Saturday at Villa Park and then Serbia in Belgrade three days later.
Loftus-Cheek ready to make long-awaited England return in any position
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Loftus-Cheek ready to make long-awaited England return in any position
- Loftus-Cheek was a late addition to the squad for this month’s World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia
- “It’s been a long time,” the AC Milan player said at England’s training base at St. George’s Park
Newcastle complete cruise into Champions League last 16
- The Magpies will make up a six-strong contingent of English sides in the last 16 alongside Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham
NEWCASTLE, United Kingdom: Newcastle United completed their stroll into the Champions League last 16 with a 3-2 win over Qarabag on Tuesday to progress 9-3 on aggregate over the Azeri champions.
The Magpies will make up a six-strong contingent of English sides in the last 16 alongside Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham.
A tie that involved an over 5,000-mile (8,000 kilometer) round trip for both sides was killed off inside 45 minutes last week as Newcastle led 5-0 at half-time on their way to a 6-1 rout.
That allowed Eddie Howe to heavily rotate his side, with four-goal hero from the first leg Anthony Gordon among those left on the bench.
Newcastle still made another fast start to add to their lead twice inside six minutes.
Sandro Tonali fired in the rebound after Dan Burn’s shot was saved before Joelinton stroked in Harvey Barnes’ cross.
Qarabag had taken the scalps of Benfica and Eintracht Frankfurt in the league phase to make the play-off round and at least salvaged some pride with two goals in the second half.
Camilo Duran outpaced Burn to pull a goal back before the Newcastle defender was penalized for handball inside the box.The Magpies will make up a six-strong contingent of English sides in the last 16 alongside Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham.
Aaron Ramsdale saved Marko Jankovic’s penalty but Elvin Jafarguliyev netted the rebound.
In between the visitors’ two goals, Sven Botman powered in a header from a corner.
That took the tally of goals conceded by Qarabag in the Champions League to 30 — a single season record in the competition.
