Ruben Loftus-Cheek is back in the England squad for the first time since March 2019, receiving a late call-up for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. The AC Milan midfielder replaces Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton, who withdrew due to a groin injury sustained during Crystal Palace’s 3-0 win against Aston Villa.
Loftus-Cheek joins the squad as they prepare for the Group K match against Andorra at Villa Park on Saturday and a crucial clash against Serbia next week. He will reunite with England head coach Thomas Tuchel, under whom he previously played at Chelsea. Jarell Quansah, a defender from Bayer Leverkusen, has also been called up to the senior squad.
The 29-year-old Loftus-Cheek has 10 caps for England but hasn't played since November 2018, when he was a substitute against the United States. He was also a member of the England squad that reached the World Cup quarter-finals in 2018.
After his serious Achilles injury threatened to derail his career, Ruben Loftus-Cheek says he is now at “peace with the past”.
Having emerged from Chelsea's academy, Loftus-Cheek debuted for the club in 2014. He has since won the Premier League in 2016–17 and the UEFA Europa League in 2018–19. He also had loan spells with Crystal Palace in 2017–18 and Fulham in 2020–21. Loftus-Cheek has been with AC Milan since 2023, making 70 appearances and scoring 11 goals for the Serie A side.
The revised England squad for the World Cup qualifiers is as follows:
Loftus-Cheek's journey back to the England squad represents a significant personal achievement, overcoming setbacks and rediscovering his form with AC Milan. His focus remains firmly on the future and contributing to England's success in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
