Thomas Tuchel is considering dropping Romelu Lukaku from Chelsea's squad against Liverpool after the striker conducted a controversial interview behind the club's back that was published this past week.
Tuchel will reveal his squad to the team tomorrow and the Belgian may not even be on the bench even after he was judged to be criticising his manager's tactics.
It has since emerged that neither the club nor the player's representatives knew of the interview beforehand. It appears to have arranged directly with the Sky Sports journalist in London.
His comments became football's biggest talking point on Thursday evening, outraging the west Londoner's fan base.
"I’m not happy with the situation and that’s only natural," he told Sky Sport Italia. "The head coach has decided to play a different system and I mustn’t let up, I need to keep working hard and be professional.
"I’m not happy with the situation but I’m a grafter and I mustn’t let up."
Although the context may have changed, the content of the quotes have frustrated many people around Lukaku.
Tuchel's was relaxed with the media's persistent questioning on Friday morning. However, behind closed doors, several sources have said that the manager is angrier than it looked with his £97.5 million ($136m) striker from Inter.
Kai Havertz is well-placed to replace Lukaku despite a prolonged spell on the sidelines with Covid.
The Blues have also welcomed back Timo Werner, but he is still thought to be struggling to overcome his own bout with the virus.
There's also an option to play Christian Pulisic through the middle, but he has struggled to perform in a central role in recent weeks.
It's unfortunate timing for the Blues as Lukaku had been in good form, scoring two goals in two games after returning from Covid.
hoobemory
91
lukaku came to chealsea to fill is pocket .....drop him or not ..is salary will be paid
pindmnpru
48
this coach have brought up a mind of hate , because the players who can assist lukaku are playing at the wrong position,e.g pulisic played very well against Aston Villa that there was a chance to score, but look at the position pulisic played.as for me, I took more time to realize that pulisic was in pich.and to Mason now is a selfish player as barns for leister City and greenwood for man u.mount is one making good players to be flop,wener is good but mount made him useless and is playing regularly.on other hand, English football now is not interested because of referees, they're beting,if three quarters place there bet on win direct,no what, will happen .
Cuban19949
31
Why some Chelsea fan been biased by calling TT out? And even I saw some Madrid and other fan criticizing TT tactics? Who is lukaku pls when TT beat all the good manger in the world football? All this Madrid fan keep saying rubbish hope you don’t forget without lukaku will throw you out of UCL? What would you gain in hatred? If it was pep or Jose it will be another story entirely I believe Pep will throw him to second team and won’t part of the squad till he leave! Today I believe some Chelsea fan are biased for criticizing TT tactics! You are all saying lukaku hold our style of play that TT should not use him! Now you calling TT out! The question I will ask if TT gat sack who take over at Chelsea cuz of this rubbish lukaku? Jame is our best player not lukaku and Chelsea don’t build team on one player! All of you saying rubbish he should go back to 433 system, are you going to play Alonso in back 4 system? If Cesar play left who will play right and James is out injured! During Lampard era as a coach he have full squad depth and he go with 433 system! Pls mention and name his achievements with the system 433 and he have all the squad available! How many trophies he won Witt 433 system? Don’t forget by this time last year Chelsea are in 10th on the table with full squad depth no injury or Covid? Why some Chelsea fan are brainless? Why don’t will give our coach time? Will have injury and Covid still second on the table and you keep complaining! LAMPARD with full squad throw us to 10th on the table last year Lukaku can’t 20 plus goals In epl he knows epl know be his mate! The player I expect to give attitude is pulisic? Stop be ungrateful person pep don’t win the league in his first season! So what’s your point