

FolioPitch.com – 22 October 2026 | Ruben Loftus-Cheek insists Milan squad have a lot of confidence in Amorim and explains personal growth, revealing that the dressing room believes more in the current head coach than they did in his predecessor, Massimiliano Allegri. Speaking at the Vitality Stadium ahead of Milan’s European clash with Bournemouth, the English midfielder offered a candid assessment of the team’s mindset and his own development since leaving Chelsea three years ago.
The 28-year-old sat alongside Amorim for the pre-match press conference and was asked about the atmosphere at Milanello. “I think we have a lot of confidence this year – in the coach, in ourselves, and in achieving something,” he said. “The whole team is united, and I feel it in the dressing room. We all want to achieve something and improve. There are obviously things we need to improve on.” That unity, he suggested, marks a shift from last season, when results were more erratic and belief less evident.
Milan have won five of their nine games this season and two of three since the international break. A 4-0 rout of RB Salzburg last week revived their European campaign after a round-one loss to Benfica, while a 3-2 victory over Atalanta at San Siro lifted the Rossoneri into the top four. Loftus-Cheek insists Milan squad have a lot of confidence in Amorim and explains personal growth as part of a broader narrative of renewal at the club, with the former Chelsea man crediting the coach for fostering a more unified environment.
Thursday night’s match marks a return to England for Loftus-Cheek, who came through the Chelsea academy and also had loan spells at Fulham and Crystal Palace. He has faced Bournemouth seven times previously, winning four, drawing two and losing one, though he has yet to score or assist against them. The midfielder acknowledged the significance of playing in front of a passionate English crowd but stressed that his focus remains on helping Milan continue their recent momentum.
“I have a lot of experience now, thanks for mentioning my age,” he joked when asked about his leadership role. “I feel a responsibility on the pitch, to bring my experience. These are the games when you have to bring it onto the pitch, especially because it will be a big match, with a very passionate stadium. I want to help the team as much as possible.”
Reflecting on his three years in Italy, Loftus-Cheek described significant personal and professional development. “I think I’ve improved as a person and as a player,” he said. “The league is different. I’m enjoying my experience in Italy, learning the language, the different culture. So I’ve grown a lot as a person.” He also addressed the injury issues that have punctuated his career, admitting that staying fit has been his biggest challenge. “Throughout my career, I’ve had problems with injuries. It’s been my big challenge to feel good season after season. I think I have to accept the way my body is, but I have to feel better mentally. I’m playing with confidence in my abilities. I feel good today, I feel good when I’m on the pitch. I give 100% for the team.”
When asked about a potential return to the England national team, Loftus-Cheek played down the speculation. “It’s not the first thought on my mind. Milan deserves my full focus. We have a lot of matches in this period, we’re a great team, we have the pressure to win games. If I play well, the opportunity to return to the national team will come.”
Once again, Loftus-Cheek insists Milan squad have a lot of confidence in Amorim and explains personal growth as the key factors behind his improved form and the team’s upward trajectory. The midfielder’s remarks underline a growing sense of belief at Milanello, where players are buying into Amorim’s methods and the collective ambition to challenge for silverware.
Milan face a Bournemouth side that underwent significant changes in the summer and recorded their first league win of the season at the weekend. The Cherries have also taken six points from six in their maiden European campaign, beating Real Sociedad and Sturm Graz. Loftus-Cheek is wary of the threat but confident in Milan’s preparations. “We know they are a good team, especially at home,” he said. “But we have our own quality and we want to impose our game.”
The match represents another opportunity for Milan to demonstrate the progress they have made under Amorim. With the squad united and key players like Loftus-Cheek finding form and fitness, the Rossoneri appear well-equipped to navigate a demanding schedule. For Loftus-Cheek, the focus is simple: contribute to the team’s success and continue his own journey of growth. As he put it, “I give 100% for the team, for my team.” That commitment, combined with the confidence he and his teammates place in Amorim, could prove crucial as Milan aim to build on their recent positive results.
In conclusion, Loftus-Cheek’s reflections offer a window into a Milan side that is growing in belief and cohesion. His personal journey, from Chelsea academy graduate to Serie A mainstay, mirrors the club’s own evolution under Amorim. If the midfielder’s words are anything to go by, the Rossoneri are united, motivated and ready to embrace the challenges ahead. The confidence he speaks of is not mere rhetoric but a tangible force that could drive Milan to greater heights this season.
Ahonui Stanford Damar somehow turned a literature degree into a career writing news—maybe because fiction and breaking news both require a healthy dose of imagination. Based in Tangerang since 2011, he balances his journalistic cyn
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