GdS: Formerly fundamental – Loftus-Cheek searching for continuity under Fonseca | OneFootball

Ruben Loftus-Cheek was instrumental to Stefano Pioli’s system at AC Milan, and this showed with the Englishman’s minutes. Under Paulo Fonseca though, the story differs, but the midfielder is trying to force a change.

The past few years of Loftus-Cheek’s career have been difficult. He has often succumbed to injury, and this has caused his minutes to be few and far between. Pioli changed this, and the midfielder played 40 times – the joint most appearances in a season throughout his career.

Since Fonseca has arrived at Milan, his minutes have not been as regular, and he is looking to change this, according to a report from Gazzetta dello Sport. Last season, he was one of the best newcomers and often looked like a player re-born.

Pioli exploited his skillset at the tip of his midfield triangle and gave him continuity, which resulted in 12 contributions. At present, Fonseca is unable to find the right role to utilise the Englishman, and this is probably due to the midfielder’s inconsistency.

This season, he has played a good match, then been poor, and for this reason, the Portuguese head coach has often looked elsewhere, which explains why his last league start was nearly a month ago.

With Morata being deployed in the Trequartistia/striker hybrid role, a route back into the starting eleven seems difficult to find for Loftus-Cheek, but this can change with time and performances from the midfielder when needed.