CHEEK OF IT
Former Chelsea flop Ruben Loftus-Cheek records feat not seen in 17 years as he scores twice for AC Milan
His record emulated a football legend as the ex-Chelsea star continues to flourish in Serie A
RUBEN LOFTUS-CHEEK matched a record for AC Milan on Thursday that has been unbroken since 2007.
The midfielder has made a strong impression on Milan fans since moving from Chelsea last summer, and looks to have finally put his injury struggles behind him.
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The midfielder has made 26 appearances in all competitions for the Rossoneri this season, scoring seven goals and making two assists.
He added another two to his tally last night as Milan swept Rennes aside 3-0 in the Europa League.
In scoring his brace, he became the first player to score two or more goals in a European knockout game for the club since Kaka in 2007.
Kaka's double came against Manchester United in the 2006-07 edition of the Champions League when he scored two remarkable individual goals at Old Trafford.
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Loftus-Cheek's brace took his tally to five goals in his last five appearances as Milan enter the business end of the season.
Speaking after the victory, Loftus-Cheek said: "Tonight was incredible at home.
"I've been working on this, getting to the right position to score and it's going well now."
Manager Stefano Pioli has been on the brink of the sack twice this season, with Antonio Conte favourite to replace him as recently as last month.
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But Milan are now well-placed to qualify for the Champions League in the Serie A and are in pole position to make the last 16 of the Europa League.
Loftus-Cheek, 28, left Chelsea this summer after his contract expired.
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The midfielder was regarded as one of the finest talents to ever emerge from Chelsea's Cobham academy but struggled with injury ever since breaking into Chelsea's first team in 2015.
His loan move to Crystal Palace in the 2017-18 season earned him a place in England's 2018 World Cup squad - where he became a key part of Gareth Southgate's side.
Loftus-Cheek made a total of 155 appearances for the Blues before leaving for Milan at the beginning of this season.
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