Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola believes Ruben Loftus-Cheek has taken his game to a new level at AC Milan with the former Premier League earning comparisons with Lazio legend Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.
As Milan cruised past Rennes in the Europa League on Thursday night, Ruben Loftus-Cheek continued his remarkable recent form in front of goal.
England international Loftus-Cheek, a £14 million signing last summer, now has seven for the Rossoneri. Five of those have come in his last five games too, with the Chelsea academy graduate the latest player to leave the talent graveyard that is Stamford Bridge and immediately look like a man enjoying a new lease of life.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek shining after Chelsea exit
“He is a great player,” Chelsea icon and former Italy playmaker Zola tells Gazzetta dello Sport. “And if he finds consistency by protecting himself from injuries, he is a truly top player. One of those who allows you to make a huge leap in quality.
“Competing in a different league is always enriching, speaking from personal experience. Testing yourself in another country improves you and it applies to him too. Today he is even more complete.
“Today, he scores more with runs (into the box), freeing himself with dribbling or by using his physicality. However, shooting from distance is a basic technical gesture (in which) he can do better.”
Loftus-Cheek has made a habit of popping up in the penalty area and latching onto cut-backs. A trademark reminiscent not only of former Stamford Bridge hero Frank Lampard but also a man who – during nearly a decade at Lazio – established himself as one of Europe’s best goalscoring midfielders.
Seven goals for AC Milan already
“(Sergej) Milinkovic-Savic remains stronger with his head. He shoots with more conviction. But Ruben has more pace. He is even faster and more dynamic,” Zola adds.
“I had no doubts about the fact he could be a revelation at Milan. I know him and respect him, and I’m not at all surprised. I’m happy because he really deserves it.”
Loftus-Cheek, capped ten times by the Three Lions, managed only one goal in his final four years as a Chelsea player. He also had loan spells at Crystal Palace and Fulham before moving to Italy.
HITC Football, meanwhile, understands that Chelsea are eyeing up one of Loftus-Cheek’s Rossoneri team-mates ahead of the summer window. Rafael Leao is a target.
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