Chelsea assistant coach Arno Michels has jumped to the defense of Romelu Lukaku after yet another lackluster display from the Belgian forward.
Lukaku returned to Stamford Bridge in the 2021 summer transfer window but hasn't been able to recapture the form he showed at Inter last season. His explosive Sky Italia interview made things even worse. Although he has been a regular in the team since then, his performances have left a lot to be desired.
The latest in a series of sub-par outings came against Plymouth Argyle in FA Cup fourth round. The 28-year-old failed to find the back of the net as Chelsea had to wait until the first half of extra time to get one over the English third-tier side.
After the match, Blues assistant coach Michels jumped in support of Lukaku, claiming he had been a 'little bit unlucky.'
“He’s working a lot for the team, doing lots of touches, but is a little bit unlucky,” Michels said as quoted by Football London.
“We try to put him, give him opportunities and we will keep on going like this because he is an important player for us. He is our striker so he also needs some trust in moments he doesn’t score,” he added.
How Romelu Lukaku has fared upon Chelsea return
Romelu Lukaku has made 25 appearances for Chelsea across all competitions this season, scoring just eight goals in the process. He has also provided two assists but is nowhere close to the level he displayed for Inter last season.
The Belgian led from the front as the Nerazzurri won the 2020-21 Serie A title. He scored 30 goals for them in 44 appearances across all competitions, which prompted Chelsea to break the bank for him. However, the Blues haven't been able to see the towering forward's best yet.
Chelsea will want their primary attacking threat to turn things around as the top-four race in the Premier League heats up. They also have the Club World Cup to fight for, on top of the EFL Cup final against Liverpool. The Blues will face Lille in the Champions League Round of 16.
nawenprsuz
0
Lukaku isn’t unlucky.. he just messed up an unlucky guys bet at a last minute.. the loss make I curse him. imagine an unlucky guy cursing you.. I curse am saaa till this day.. the thing pain me still
Ditbcklmpt
1
Lukaku:Ueah sex is good but I prefer INTERcourse
Vucbdikprs
0
lukaku can help chelsea..
Nihbdeptyz
0
breaking news Chelsea just lost 100m, nothing like lukaku is unlucky to score
Nihbdeptyz
0
nothing like unlucky,
ChelseaFC_Addict
0
TT never ask for lukaku, Chelsea owner decided to sign him..
But why? I mean look at him now he's very frustrating. Whenever Lukaku plays Chelsea FC team look horrible to watch Lukaku somehow disrupt the play of Chelsea team he can't click those players are so frustrated they were used to playing with Havertz and werner
waeamnrz
0
just have the feeling now lukaku has won the battle with his words said previously. benching better players for a bull that is fond of raising his hands. The man just lack fighting mentality. Play him half minutes and give others chance too. It's like our Chelsea managers are now good at talking and not implementation. with Plymouth, no we shall give the a test of their medicine but the opposite was just real. creating a team, scary to play against and now everyone rejoices on facing Chelsea. please help us. Havertz, Timo, Kovacic, mount, pulisic, and Ziyech are our main guys at Chelsea and we wonder why they don't play. we are don't they don't perform in training but those who perform in training are the ones that have made us be in third place now. this is rubbish Tuchel
waeamnrz
0
stick with your lukaku but we all know the end result. That bull is not fit for English football men.
danriwbik
0
Everyone should remove there eyes on Lukaku so that he can get his goal form back, before it was Werner , now no one is hearing about him again. Please let's help and and Support these guys than Criticizing them because they are brothers to some people and Humans too. i strongly believe it That Lukaku will be a Beast in No distance time.
that lukaku haven't been in form when he was at Man U and lucky at Inter blaming our coach for system of play...bro, tbh, this guy is wasted😏...so this coming
jimomichelsea
0
idk but he is just not there in the team anymore after the interview...His Touch his hold up play his finishing is just awkward 😳 I prefer Werner over him
NestoGuya
1
.Sell LUKAKU, RLC, CHO, JORGINHO, BARKLEY Keep KANTE, KOVACIC Buy TCHOUAMENI, RICE, HAZARD, KOUNDE even SALAH Bring BROJA, GILMOUR, EMERSON
Softteyman
0
That good
Austinpowers
6
For now I will prefer Timo over Lukaku cause Timo can create chances for everyone, Lukaku is just slow and is losing the ball so badly 🤦🏽♂️
hybrid4ohye
0
I just have the feeling Lakaka is doing this on purpose I don't know if anyone else agrees
lol..my own opinion is that lukaku is just slow.
chuddyhayes
1
I just have the feeling Lakaka is doing this on purpose I don't know if anyone else agrees
Mendy544
0
Everyone should remove there eyes on Lukaku so that he can get his goal form back, before it was Werner , now no one is hearing about him again. Please let's help and and Support these guys than Criticizing them because they are brothers to some people and Humans too. i strongly believe it That Lukaku will be a Beast in No distance time.
lukaku doesn't fit tuchel system at all
Kitdeip
4
he doesn't fit in the system. chelsea never rely on center forwards after tuchel took over.. it seems the system tuchel brought with him is trademark for chelsea now.. could've been better if tuchel put timo instead of lukaku in front more.
ELLYICON
5
A little bit, how do y'all examine situations. Lukaku is terrible, really terrible. call spade a spade
Singapore2899541
0
MU flop, chelsea flop
lord_henry-14
0
He doesn't fit Tuchel system.Tuchel system need someone rapid with great first touch.Someone like Vlahovic
doebckprty
1
He's playing rubbish.
Dutkmnopuy
0
dembele
Bgxfg
3
The no. 9 curse at Chelsea ain't a joke
Gauzy
2
So unlucky means that you don't run, you don't jump, you don't score goals, you cannot pass, you cannot muscle defenders and you cannot create chances.
yiabcilnrt
2
Chelsea NO 9 continues...it would have been much better if they got kane instead of lukaku
tumbcdemrs
0
Who would you rather have Lukaku or Drogba
Lohackmpz
2
most of us Chelsea fc fans are toxic and we complain alot.no one is talking about werner again.
Lohackmpz
0
TT and Chelsea broad should swallow their pride n drop n sell this guy before it’s too late
sell him to you?
Citaduyz
0
sure we should give them a little time Lukaku will soon be at his best
kaman95
1
TT and Chelsea broad should swallow their pride n drop n sell this guy before it’s too late
Pubabeipry
0
Chelsea FC and Thomas Tuchel made a big mistake for signing Lukaku just because they couldn't get Haaland it was an emotional decision, stupid if you ask me and now they're paying the price
TT never ask for lukaku, Chelsea owner decided to sign him..
Obk994
2
What touches is he talking about? He can't even hold ball or make a simple pass
ChelseaFC_Addict
0
Chelsea FC and Thomas Tuchel made a big mistake for signing Lukaku just because they couldn't get Haaland it was an emotional decision, stupid if you ask me and now they're paying the price
Capitalox
2
How Lukaku sees himself before coming back to Chelsea vs how he is right now 😏😏
Princespark6
7
Everyone should remove there eyes on Lukaku so that he can get his goal form back, before it was Werner , now no one is hearing about him again. Please let's help and and Support these guys than Criticizing them because they are brothers to some people and Humans too. i strongly believe it That Lukaku will be a Beast in No distance time.
Jutiknoprt
1
Take him to bck to international than get martinez