AC Milan midfielder Loftus-Cheek: Ibrahimovic a big help in new role

AC Milan midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek appreciates the support he's receiving from Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Ibrahimovic now acts as team manager after retiring at the end of last season.

Loftus-Cheek told Cronache di Spogliatoio: "He has been a great help since he arrived in this role. He is always outside the locker room, waiting for us to pass, to encourage us. He talks to everyone on the pitch, he is a fantastic person and leader.

"He encourages you to give my all. He tells me to throw myself into the area: 'Try, try!'. And be decisive."

On teammate Tijjani Reijnders, he also said: "With Reijnders we are friends. We arrived at Milan together and we both spoke English, so it helped us get to know each other better. He recently became a father and in fact I call him 'Dad'.

"He's an exceptional person.

"Going to the European Championship? I hope so, but at the moment it seems unlikely that I'll be called up. I'd like to play for England again, but the objective is to do well at Milan. Also because the England is only a consequence of the performance at Milan."