Thierry Henry revealed that he told Romelu Lukaku that he would struggle to thrive under Thomas Tuchel ahead of his high-profile £97.5million move back to Chelsea from Inter Milan in 2021.
The Arsenal legend, who worked with Lukaku as Belgium's assistant manager across two spells - admitted that the warned the striker against a move to west London as the player would struggle to play in Tuchel's high press system.
Lukaku arrived back at Stamford Bridge having left for Everton in 2014 after several loan spells away from the club with many speculating he could be the end of their 'No 9 curse' following a Serie A-winning spell with Inter.
However the 29-year-old failed to make the impression the build-up to his return had promised, and managed only 15 goals in 44 games across all competitions and was subsequently loaned back to the Italian side.
'We had a discussion when he went to Chelsea and I told him he's going to find it difficult to play at Chelsea, and it turned out to be the case,' said the former Belgium assistant manager on CBS Sports' Golazo programme.
And then when pressed for a reason, Henry claimed that Lukaku's play style was entirely the wrong fit for a typical Tuchel side.
The German manager favoured a fluid front three, according to Henry, with wingers and central strikers interchanging on the pitch, whereas the Belgian record goal scorer prefers to remain in a No 9 position.
When asked why he believed Lukaku would find a return to west London difficult, Henry continued: 'Because of the way Tuchel likes to play. Pressing and pressing, you're the nine, I'm the nine, you're the winger, I'm the winger - you interchange.
'Rom likes to stay where he is, feed him, play him in early and he will try to bully you, turn, stay in the box, crosses - he's a different type of nine to what Tuchel wanted.'
Tuchel was axed as Blues boss on the night of his 100th game as Chelsea manager following a shock 1-0 loss to Croatian side Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League, to be replaced by Graham Potter.
However, Henry foresees an issue with Potter's tactical plans as well for the 29-year-old when he returns at the end of his loan spell.
He cited the fact that Chelsea are struggling to come to terms with the ex-Brighton manager's system, with only nine wins from 23 games and 1.48 points-per-game since he took the reins in September.
'Now is he going to fit what Potter is trying to do?' continued Henry. 'They're struggling with that without him in the squad.
'What does he want to do? I don't think he wants to go back, that's the main thing I think he wants to stay at Inter. That's why there's going to be maybe a little clash if they want him back.
'I think he wants to stay there.'
Since his return to the Nerazzurri at the start of the season, Lukaku has only managed four goals and an assist in 14 games, having sat out 18 games through three injuries.
But he looks to be coming back into form with two in two games, including the winner off the bench against Porto in the 1-0 Champions League last 16 first round win on Wednesday night.
Sebaciotu
1
ILIKE LUKAKU
neuacdetz
0
This guy is talking a lot of trash these days
KwekuSefahJr
1
These news always comes after the players flops 😒
Yuoabopz
1
can't understand some fans TT is a very high pressing coach and if you lazy you can't play under tt.At Dotmund that was high intensity play ,but now these players are lazy they don't want to run they do not want to work hard,I don't blame potter some times these Chelsea lads not all but some of them are lazy they don't play for the club,it's all about the money .I think mount is a good player but he is lazy even havertz they has become lazy,yes the primer league is physical but you have to adapt .to play for Chelsea you have to work hard.these brand of players don't want to go at war. in time of lamps ,terry ,Drogba ,every game you had to be at war that's what makes your value go up.halland I like him cause he has a mind set to be great.
dapaipsu
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INTER MILAN 3/14 (23% goal rate), Chelsea 15/44(34% goal rate)
Etilomi0147
2
Truth being told, this doesn’t implies Tuchel isn’t a good coach but this article talked about TACTICS. Tuchel didn’t need Lukaku when we bought him, maybe Chelsea should have gone all out for Haaland/Lewandowski then or even Messi from Barcelona, yea we’re capable of pulling out one of these deals then but I honestly don’t understand the people who gave it a green light🤷♂️ Lukaku on the hand would still be the main man in Seriea A today hadn’t been he didn’t joined the ex Chelsea coach. So you need to understand these things before y’all kill the life outta Henry👀
yutcklpstu
2
Thank you Henry, ROM followed money. TT always wanted a fluid front 3, same as Ole' at Utd where Lukaku struggled in his time with Olé. He should know it and stay at inter. Whoever signed him at Chelsea under TT is to blame also
Saacdeloy
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potter out
Yemaiklu
1
the only problem is you understand that it's time and it will pass Chelsea will come back to the best performance, than busy talking about Chelsea Chelsea Chelsea as if it's a song
Vicacnpyz
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So it was the same tactics that worked against him at Manchester United, at the World Cup and presently at Inter? Every pundit can now say trash, those same tactics won Tuchel the prestigious UCL trophy and the Club World Cup. Advice the player to step up his game, talkatives
If Henry is a talkative tell me what you and your entire family have ever achieved in your lives, stupid boy
Vicacnpyz
1
The king knows what he is talking about,one of the best in history
Vendiknprt
1
So it was the same tactics that worked against him at Manchester United, at the World Cup and presently at Inter? Every pundit can now say trash, those same tactics won Tuchel the prestigious UCL trophy and the Club World Cup. Advice the player to step up his game, talkatives
Tuchel might have won champion league using the front three interchangeable but Henry said lukaku is a typical front nine that like to have the ball, so as a coach, you need to understand whosever you bring to your system otherwise change your styles to suit your key players.
Pemimtuz
0
So it was the same tactics that worked against him at Manchester United, at the World Cup and presently at Inter? Every pundit can now say trash, those same tactics won Tuchel the prestigious UCL trophy and the Club World Cup. Advice the player to step up his game, talkatives
Dayum
4
I bet many kids that didn't understand tactics will comment here and say Henry know nothing 🤭
charitywale
3
You will think they are serious 👀🥲🤣 But KANTE is back 😎
juststar
1
please shut up