Ruben Loftus-Cheek is allowing himself to dream of a spot in the upcoming World Cup squad after making his return to the England team. After a seven-year absence, the AC Milan midfielder earned his first cap since 2018, entering as a substitute in the second half of England's 3-0 friendly victory against Wales at Wembley on October 9, 2025.
Once a regular in Gareth Southgate's squad, even participating in the 2018 World Cup, Loftus-Cheek's career faced a setback due to a serious injury that sidelined him for a year. Now, at 29, he's back in contention, having been selected by Thomas Tuchel, his former manager at Chelsea. With his sights set on a place in the World Cup squad next summer, Loftus-Cheek acknowledges the long road ahead. "It's been a long time. Of course, a lot has happened in that time, starting with the injury," he stated. "So I kind of stopped expecting to play for England again after so long away, but I'm really happy to be back involved in the set-up and getting some minutes on the pitch today, which was good".
Despite the setback, Loftus-Cheek remained determined to revive his international career. His perseverance and strong performances for AC Milan have earned him a recall to the national side. Loftus-Cheek's return comes as England seeks to solidify their squad for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. His experience in both the Premier League and Serie A is expected to bring valuable quality and depth to the team.
The midfielder emphasized the importance of focusing on his club form. "I think it's good to have a goal. Whether you focus on that right now, I'm not sure," he said. "I think you have to focus on what you're doing at your club". He added, "It is still a long way and I think for me, first and foremost, (my focus) is to stay fit, stay healthy and keep playing well for my club. If I do that, I think I've got a good chance and who knows what can happen".
Loftus-Cheek's move to AC Milan followed a period of significant player turnover after Tuchel's departure from Chelsea. At Milan, he has become a key player, showcasing his physical prowess and technical abilities. His performances in the summer preseason friendlies earned him praise, with many highlighting his unique qualities as a physically explosive, box-to-box midfielder.
Reflecting on his reunion with Tuchel, Loftus-Cheek acknowledged their successful past collaboration at Chelsea. "We shared some good times together at Chelsea, winning trophies," he noted. "It's good to be back in England with the manager. I know what he likes and wants and demands. So there's nothing new for me in that sense. It's good to be back and playing under him again".
Tuchel's tactical acumen has also impressed Loftus-Cheek. "You always see he's a very, very intelligent manager and he studies the opponents very well and gives us an insight of what we're going to face and how to play against the team," he said. "He gives you a complete picture of what is to come and that's what you want from a coach". Loftus-Cheek added, "He is a fantastic coach and you can see the hard work we're putting in over these last couple of games – we've been playing really well so we hope to kick on and keep that going".
As Loftus-Cheek continues to shine for AC Milan and contribute to England's World Cup qualifying campaign, his dream of reaching the World Cup is very much alive.
