Ruben Amorim had to step in to speak on behalf of midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek when asked about his hopes of an England call-up during their press conference on Wednesday evening, insisting that the former Chelsea man ‘doesn’t believe he can play’ for the Three Lions, but that ‘he can play in every national team because he’s a very talented boy’.
The two Rubens spoke to the media at a pre-match press conference on Wednesday evening ahead of Milan’s Europa League match away against AFC Bournemouth on Thursday night.
Loftus-Cheek talks England ahead of Bournemouth vs. Milan
Loftus-Cheek sat next to his head coach in Bournemouth on Wednesday evening and fielded questions on a number of topics including his status as an experienced figure in the dressing room, how his life has changed since moving to Italy and his chances of earning a return to the England national team.
“Now I’m a player with a lot of experience – thank you for saying my age,” he joked with a slight hint of sarcasm when asked if he considers himself a senior player in the Milan camp.
“But yeah, I feel the responsibility on the pitch and in the squad to bring that experience. I think these are the games where you need to bring that because it’s going to be very difficult when the atmosphere is hostile and it’s a big game, especially for us and for Bournemouth, their emotional attachment to the game. I do want to help the team in that way as much as possible.”
Loftus-Cheek was asked ‘what does Ruben think of Ruben?’ referring to his head coach, Amorim, who was sat directly next to him. The coach stepped in at that point and said “don’t do that to a player,” getting his midfielder off the hook for that particular question.
Loftus-Cheek was asked about the differences he has found since moving to Serie A three years ago.
He said: “I think I’ve evolved as a player and as a human being as well. Firstly as a player, the league is different and you have to adapt to the league and adapt to a football that maybe you couldn’t play or is not as effective here in Italy as it is in England, but I’ve enjoyed it.
“I’ve enjoyed the experience and as a human being, going to a different country when many Englishmen haven’t done that in the past and learning a new language, different culture, different way of life, in that sense of growing as a human being.”
“And the food is best,” Amorim chipped in.
Loftus-Cheek was also asked by the British press whether he is targeting a return to the England national team squad in the near future.
He replied: “Honestly, it’s not at the forefront of my mind. I think Milan deserves all my concentration. Right now we’re in a period with so many games, we’re a big club and we have the pressure to win.
“In that sense, I’m always concentrating here and I think if you’re playing well then that’ll take care of itself and England opportunities will come. I think for me it’s just full concentration on AC Milan.”
Amorim went in to bat for Loftus-Cheek immediately afterwards, insisting that he can play for ‘every’ national team. He suggested that the Englishman needs to believe in himself more and insisted that the problem is not with his ability.
“First of all I want to address this question about Ruben. The problem is that he doesn’t believe that he can play for his national team and I heard that in his voice, but he has the talent to do that.
“He’s a really talented guy and maybe the problem is more here [pointing to his head] than it is in his body and his ability. So I really believe that if he takes that out of his head, he can play in every national team because he’s a very talented boy. But he needs to give that step, and he’s still young. People don’t understand that he can play for a while. I truly believe that he can be that type of player.”