Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has defended his call to drop forward Romelu Lukaku for their UEFA Champions League clash against LOSC Lille. The Belgian forward started the game on the bench but never made it onto the pitch.
Tuchel stated that Lukaku needed some time away from the limelight following a disappointing performance against Crystal Palace. The 28-year-old forward had a mere seven touches of the football during their recent Premier League game against the Eagles. The forward also did not fit into the gameplan Chelsea had set out to deploy.
Speaking after their 2-0 win over Lille in the first leg of their Champions League Round of 16 clash last night, Tuchel addressed why Lukaku was dropped. He said:
"This was not the moment after the match where everybody was focused on the few touches he had to put him right away into the next fire. It was the moment to take a step back. That was the decision and you can clearly see we had a strong win but almost every question is about Romelu. The focus is huge."
He added:
"I think he was tired, a little bit exhausted, lot of extra time, lot of travelling like some of the players. The focus was today on intensity, a high speed game and also hard work on the ball and off the ball."
Tuchel concluded:
"To have intense team work, and Romelu struggled in the last games to deliver that. That's what I mean when I said tired. Not only physically tired but mentally tired."
Chelsea secured a comfortable 2-0 win over Lille at Stamford Bridge without Lukaku's services. Goals from Kai Havertz and Christian Pulisic were enough for the Blues to take a two-goal lead in the tie. Tuchel's side will travel to France for the second leg, which will be contested on March 16.
They will next take on Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday, February 27, at Wembley Stadium.
Romelu Lukaku has struggled to find consistent goals for Chelsea
Chelsea paid a club-record £97.5 million to sign Romelu Lukaku from Inter Milan in the summer of 2021. The Blues lacked a proven goalscorer last season, a problem Lukaku was brought in to rectify.
However, the Belgian international has failed to settle in at Stamford Bridge. As things stand, the 28-year-old forward has scored just 10 goals from 28 matches across all competitions.
Lukaku also caused controversy a couple of months ago in an interview with Sky Sports. The forward said he was unhappy at Chelsea and wanted to return to Inter Milan at the earliest. The 28-year-old forward later went on to apologize to his teammates and Tuchel.
Bmillion
0
Once Lukaku starts scoring, bet me you will know why we see him as the missing piece 😂🤣🤣
we all waiting 😂😃
Lopbcikno
0
If you remember, TT said himself that he agreed with the transfer, after he failed to get Haaland
agreeing with the transfer doesn't make Lukaku his choice. His choice was Haaland. Besides no one expected Lukaku will fail this badly...
yonkmoprsz
0
Is Lukaku truly a tuchel buy. Marina Granovskia is responsible for players purchase...
If you remember, TT said himself that he agreed with the transfer, after he failed to get Haaland
yebadkortz
0
since Tuchel is coach tell me which 1 of our forwards as excel?
Pozknosuyz
1
i am a chelsea fan, suporter and not a player suporter most of those who said lukaku isnt the reason i think they are suporting him fo other reason and not begause of succes of FC CHELSEA
Lopbcikno
1
That's true but when TT brought Lukaku he knew the kind of player he was. He wasted the club money, instead Tammy would fit in well but he sold him. As a football fan, I don't see Lukaku succeeding under TT, he just doesn't fit
Is Lukaku truly a tuchel buy. Marina Granovskia is responsible for players purchase...
Ibe7
0
just as blues as they calls themselves 🤣 ... one was spotted in a spider restaurant... CRYING for Lukaku's mercy... after the reviewed SECRET interview
iffy1985
0
The money spent on this useless left footed Lukaku is too much and I warned this Tuchel. pls loan him to Lille
nedirtuz
0
You just want to see Lukaku out of Chelsea because you’re afraid of him 😟
Once Lukaku starts scoring, bet me you will know why we see him as the missing piece 😂🤣🤣
nedirtuz
1
Lukaku need to go back to his form at inter. thats the one all Chelsea fans need and not of Man U
You just want to see Lukaku out of Chelsea because you’re afraid of him 😟
Heoeins
2
pls let lukaku leave immediately
Rambcdko
1
Chelsea plays more Better without lukaku
Dexamyor
1
Seriously this guy isn’t bad at all the team player just don’t like his first touch so they don’t feed him the balls they think he will loos to the opponent Last season he competed well with Ronaldo u cnt just do dat with a goat unless u hv some abilities of a goat
dray_1304
1
We’re much more better without lukaku, let him leave pls
Ericpascal95
1
Lukaku was a mistake signing and waste of capital
Rennisky
1
Let him return to inter period. We Chelsea fans, let lukaku leave the club. Thank you.
misabcdenp
0
us we don't care who plays what we only want is better results not whereby a coach chooses 11 at the end at some players don't fit my system. like that we lable poor coaching no doubt
Adepsalm
1
the noise and joy of the flow of our match will make easy for even the blind to be aware that without hearin that name Lukaku Chelsea are playing better and every around are enjoying the game
Mouabeiz
0
Tuchel you are the most stupit mgr buying LUKAKU. he is not made for EPL.
Adepsalm
2
Mr TT stop explaining ur self bout this decision we am very much ok with it let him come back into the team whenever his is ready and when he decide to bring back his spirit from N mm Inter if not let him get a seat close to the likes of Barclay on the bench tank u.
josilva877
0
we don't need Lukaku
Adelaff
0
Chelsea don't really need Lukaku before they win
yonkmoprsz
1
Lukaku need to go back to his form at inter. thats the one all Chelsea fans need and not of Man U
I think it's impossible.It's all about philosophy; Lukaku can't fit in TT philosophy
FaithEvans
2
I hate this kind of journalism and image creation of some players. So much they are the only ones that journalists want to talk about even when the team wins. As if they bigger than the team. Why would Tuchel be required to defend his team selection after a dominant win?... it's crazy I don't like such players in a team. Özil was one and thankfully, we have none at the moment.
yonkmoprsz
0
no need of bringing lukaku in the team as of now, the way false 9 harvetz play was very impressive, he goes up and comes back, he sarches for Ball while lukaku was there waiting for other's to bring ball for him
That's true but when TT brought Lukaku he knew the kind of player he was. He wasted the club money, instead Tammy would fit in well but he sold him. As a football fan, I don't see Lukaku succeeding under TT, he just doesn't fit
fincdinstz
0
he needs to leave chelsea
saplmnru
5
no need of bringing lukaku in the team as of now, the way false 9 harvetz play was very impressive, he goes up and comes back, he sarches for Ball while lukaku was there waiting for other's to bring ball for him
Bmillion
1
Lukaku need to go back to his form at inter. thats the one all Chelsea fans need and not of Man U