Ruben hits Milan highs
RUBEN LOFTUS-CHEEK has started 2024 with a bang at AC Milan. He has four goals in four Serie A games since the winter break, including both in a 2-2 draw against Bologna at the San Siro on Saturday. Signed from Chelsea to fill the midfield void left by Franck Kessie’s move to Saudi Arabia, he needed a little time to settle and missed some games with niggly injuries. Initially, boss Stefano Piolo sought to deploy him on the right side of three in midfield but has flexed the shape, and now usually goes with two holding midfielders and Loftus-Cheek centrally in a more advanced position. The England midfielder excelled in a Champions League victory against Paris Saint-Germain in November and has steadily grown in stature. Now, in Italy, he is recognised as one of the most astute signings of the season. Loftus-Cheek has not won an England cap for five and a half years and, with Gareth Southgate short of midfield options, the 28-year-old has picked a good time to issue a Euro 2024 reminder.
INTERESTING words from Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni on football’s flood of data and analysis. ‘There’s an excess of analysis, too much,’ Scaloni told Marca. ‘Nowadays, everyone knows how the opponent plays. There’s so much information that in the end the most important thing, which is the player, is almost remote controlled. ‘There’s a risk of losing the essence, taking away from the player what is precisely their best quality.’
LEEDS United pounced to sign Joe Gelhardt from Wigan, who had been plunged into administration in 2020, and they beat strong competition to sign Sonny Perkins from West Ham’s academy in 2022. Both are exciting young forwards bursting with potential. Gelhardt, 21, made a sudden impact when he first broke into the Leeds team but is now struggling for game time under Daniel Farke, and Perkins, 19, has been recalled from a disappointing loan spell at Oxford. Meanwhile, 19-year-old striker Max Dean, who came through the ranks at Elland Road, was sold by Leeds to MK Dons this time last year, and is in prolific form. With a dozen goals and the team thriving under boss Mike Williamson, Dean has scouts from the Premier League and Championship flocking to Milton Keynes.