Romelu Lukaku is a 'timebomb' in the Chelsea dressing room and no different to the player who left Manchester United despite his success at Inter Milan, says Jamie Carragher.
The Blues forked out a club-record £97.5million fee to re-sign Lukaku last summer, and when he marked his first four appearances with as many goals their investment appeared justified.
However, the Belgium striker has only scored another four in his next 19 outings; with two spells on the sidelines through injury and Covid, an explosive interview with Sky Italy and a string of underwhelming performances derailing his second stint at Stamford Bridge.
After netting 64 goals in 95 games for Inter Milan and helping them clinch the Serie A title, Lukaku was supposed to be arriving back in west London as a mature, seasoned centre-forward at the peak of his powers.
But Carragher doesn't think he is any different to the player who departed United on a sour note back in 2019.
'When Romelu Lukaku signed for Chelsea, the consensus was that he was a different player to that which left Manchester United,' the Liverpool legend wrote in his column for The Telegraph.
'Six months later, there is only one valid observation to make about his return to Stamford Bridge. He isn’t.
'All the talk about how a couple of years working with this weekend’s opponent, Antonio Conte, have elevated Lukaku’s game tactically has proven premature. Thomas Tuchel is managing the same striker who prompted Manchester United to run out of patience and sell him to Inter Milan.
'That’s why I can’t help but think there is a timebomb in the Chelsea dressing room, with the player and club already losing patience with each other. The recent furore over the interview Lukaku gave to Italian media was a hint of what might follow.
'There has been a period of calm since, but if performances continue to underwhelm and Tuchel starts to give the impression his first choice XI does not have Lukaku’s name on it, it is likely the alarm bells have been paused, not deactivated.'
In their recent 1-0 defeat away at Manchester City and Tuesday's 1-1 draw at Brighton, Tuchel made a damning statement on both occasions by hooking Lukaku when Chelsea were chasing a late goal.
And Carragher believes they look much more threatening without him in the side, adding: 'On paper, Chelsea look a more balanced side with Lukaku. The reality is they have been at their most fluid and dangerous without him.
'Let’s not forget before Lukaku signed they won the Champions League final using the matchwinner, Kai Havertz, as a false nine.
'Look at Chelsea’s most complete performances this season - the 4-0 Champions League win over Juventus, the best example. Lukaku was not in the starting line-up due to injury.'
He then concluded: 'It is too soon to say paying £97.5 million to re-sign Lukaku was a mistake. If there is no radical upturn in form and Tuchel loses trust in the striker ahead of the biggest Premier League and Champions League games, it could become one.'
FootballRealist
0
is he not a good manager you're confused and a very big pig
Yay! round of applause for the keyboard warrior…
TryNuell
0
A lot coming from you acting like a pig. Not once have I said Tuchel is a bad manager. But take you accusations somewhere else so jog on
is he not a good manager you're confused and a very big pig
Ticbelmpyz
0
And then call who ?
Call yourself
FootballRealist
0
so tuchel is a bad manager you pig
A lot coming from you acting like a pig. Not once have I said Tuchel is a bad manager. But take you accusations somewhere else so jog on
TryNuell
0
But please don't call Sancho
what has Sancho done you fool
TryNuell
0
Pundits doing what they do best, talk trash…but he is wrong either about Lukaku. I don’t think PL is for him or he needs the right manager to put him on his place
so tuchel is a bad manager you pig
Musatunkara
0
I didn't blame Messi for calling you that name
W0linhO
0
dude werner was missing clear-cut chances before even tuchel arrived. how do you coach to score a tapin to a striker mate?
Not in Leipzig, the team wasn't in form under Lampard. I know Rudiger or James weren't good either. When Tuchel came in the whole squad was playing better except Werner misfiring. When we signed Lukaku Chelsea was in good but still Lukaku was misfiring too, it always seemed like we are better without our strikers
bacbcostu
0
I DON'T LIKE THOSE PUNDITS LEAVING THE MATTERS IN THEIR TEAM AND HIT ON ISSUES ON CHALSEA, WHY? ANYWAY MY TEAM WAS PLAYING GOOD, FLUID AND ENTERTAINING FOOTBALL WITH HARVETS AS FAULS NINE UNTIL LUKA CAME AND BAM; EVERYTHING CHANGE SO FOR THIS ONE I AGREE WITH YOU. LUKAKU SHOULD ADJUST TO THE PLAY OF CHALSEA NOT OTHER WAY ROUND.
bacbcostu
1
I think the problem is from both sides. Lukaku as well as Tuchel. Lukaku is a strong, powerful striker but he needs a little bit more time on the ball to perform well, which he isn't gonna get in the premier league. Serie A suited him very well because it is not as fast paced as PL is. He needs to change his style quickly and work on his strengths to be successful. Having said that, Tuchel needs to realise exactly what kind of system he wants to play. If he wants to have compact, counter pressing, fluid kind of system, then unfortunately Lukaku doesn't fit in that system. He thrives in a target man system. So to work this out, both need to tweak their style a little bit
FUTURE COUCH
wemcilmp
0
That's why Messi called you a donkey..
do you
Wancou
0
I dun think lukaku was tuchel first choice in the first place, he only a decent striker suited in serial A.
astonishingdavy_
2
That's why Messi called you a donkey..
Georgie_best7
2
I think the problem is from both sides. Lukaku as well as Tuchel. Lukaku is a strong, powerful striker but he needs a little bit more time on the ball to perform well, which he isn't gonna get in the premier league. Serie A suited him very well because it is not as fast paced as PL is. He needs to change his style quickly and work on his strengths to be successful. Having said that, Tuchel needs to realise exactly what kind of system he wants to play. If he wants to have compact, counter pressing, fluid kind of system, then unfortunately Lukaku doesn't fit in that system. He thrives in a target man system. So to work this out, both need to tweak their style a little bit
dickala
0
Lol. He was in ManU and everyone felt ManU was the problem.
😂😂😂 lukaku is reliable against weak teams but against strong teams expect nothing from him he'll probably have two touches in the opposition half
dickala
0
The truth is Tuchel don't know how to use strikers. Werner who had a good stint with Leipzig was misfiring too like Lukaku. The solution is from Tuchel, he should put more emphasis on his strikers. Imagine Chelsea with goalscoring fullbacks and strikers, that's the team no one wants to play against
dude werner was missing clear-cut chances before even tuchel arrived. how do you coach to score a tapin to a striker mate?
FootballRealist
0
Pundits doing what they do best, talk trash…but he is wrong either about Lukaku. I don’t think PL is for him or he needs the right manager to put him on his place
NegBodLamier
0
Samething I said. It's Chelsea they always forget what they say.
Man U fans want to talk about our club. Man go fix your business first. You guys been jumping for years about Sancho, where is he? What has he done? Kaku misfiring and we still sitting above Man U, imagine if he was not.......
W0linhO
0
Was it Tuchel that bought Werner and did Werner just started misfiring?
Lampard got Werner in but I don't consider that cos the whole squad was not in form. Werner and Lukaku hv no reason not to perform when Chelsea was in form from the start of the season being prolific strikers in their previous clubs
fabckmnoz
0
Like Anelka..
kriss1985
0
Mr carragher or what you call yourself better mind your business and stop causing problems in the Chelsea camp, you these opposition legends are only trying to cause more confusion in the Chelsea dressing room. your opinions are unnecessary and unacceptable
I totally understand this post. Why don’t he go and criticize his former team players who are not performing. I don’t care if he is not performing now. We are still above your former team kmt…
Keney_G
0
I thought Chelsea fans said United wasn't a better team for Lukaku to succeed, now that he's not performing at Chelsea it's the player's fault, hmm
Samething I said. It's Chelsea they always forget what they say.
Keney_G
0
We still believe in Lukaku. He just need to get rid away with the cursed jersey no. 9
Lol. He was in ManU and everyone felt ManU was the problem.
Keney_G
0
The truth is Tuchel don't know how to use strikers. Werner who had a good stint with Leipzig was misfiring too like Lukaku. The solution is from Tuchel, he should put more emphasis on his strikers. Imagine Chelsea with goalscoring fullbacks and strikers, that's the team no one wants to play against
Was it Tuchel that bought Werner and did Werner just started misfiring?
Pozacdnpy
1
The truth is Tuchel don't know how to use strikers. Werner who had a good stint with Leipzig was misfiring too like Lukaku. The solution is from Tuchel, he should put more emphasis on his strikers. Imagine Chelsea with goalscoring fullbacks and strikers, that's the team no one wants to play against
How do some people annalise football
Locbdlmotu
2
Mr carragher or what you call yourself better mind your business and stop causing problems in the Chelsea camp, you these opposition legends are only trying to cause more confusion in the Chelsea dressing room. your opinions are unnecessary and unacceptable
Pebabdilsz
1
please let our coach drop Lukaku
nbas
0
No good ball passer like KDB and Cesc, if Lukaku should play a match for Belgium today he will make an impact because KDB and Hazard knows how well and how to setting well for goal scoring opportunities
Good point
Pumablnsy
0
all this nonsense English pundits can never criticize their own English players....look at grealish and Sancho..... lukaku has performed better than them still yet they keep calling him out every time
Even as a Man U fan I wouldn’t blame Lukaku..but this English pundits keepp running their mouth
alexroselazarus
0
We still believe in Lukaku. He just need to get rid away with the cursed jersey no. 9
nobody believe in lukaku even lukaku doesn't believe in lukaku.
W0linhO
4
The truth is Tuchel don't know how to use strikers. Werner who had a good stint with Leipzig was misfiring too like Lukaku. The solution is from Tuchel, he should put more emphasis on his strikers. Imagine Chelsea with goalscoring fullbacks and strikers, that's the team no one wants to play against
NAFRIENDEM
0
you blame him for saying the truth chelsea is better without him
how is Chelsea better without him.
zuyabdnsyz
2
Ds guy alwats talk nonsense.
jozadlmou
0
But please don't call Sancho
And then call who ?
Pozknosuyz
0
Lukaku would function well with a strike partner.
yes fenomeen ronaldo
Pozknosuyz
0
chelsea need to spent more money to see the effect from lukaku.they must buy kevin de bruyne hazart ,messy for assist an lautaro martinez as striker and also zidane as midfielder for assist and makkalele and japstam as cb
Kesaekrsy
1
Someone should just sell Lukaku asap
Pozknosuyz
0
Carragher just shut up because lukaku is a better player than u. Why don't u go and be a manager.
you blame him for saying the truth chelsea is better without him
NorbuG
3
We still believe in Lukaku. He just need to get rid away with the cursed jersey no. 9
Ticbelmpyz
0
all this nonsense English pundits can never criticize their own English players....look at grealish and Sancho..... lukaku has performed better than them still yet they keep calling him out every time
But please don't call Sancho
PrinceAbobyBlinkz
6
all this nonsense English pundits can never criticize their own English players....look at grealish and Sancho..... lukaku has performed better than them still yet they keep calling him out every time
KabuEric
3
I thought Chelsea fans said United wasn't a better team for Lukaku to succeed, now that he's not performing at Chelsea it's the player's fault, hmm
Emini_Bblaq
1
These fcking English pundits are out of their mind, when it comes to talking about their flopped English players. Am City fan i barely believe Jack greelish is biggest flopp in Pl. Lukaku is good, but Chelsea is dull team with fcking 3 4 3 formation with no offensive and attacking midfielders. how good was Lukaku when he was at Inter.
[image]
man calm down everyone know lukaku was a problem to Chelsea no 👌 problem with Chelsea unless lukaku and jorgio silly mistake
paycelprtu
6
Can this same pundits talk about greelish and sancho? They condemn other countries but can’t condemn their own English flops
Puzclorty
2
Lukaku is a time bomb and grealish is a hour bomb, fool's everywhere.
NAFRIENDEM
4
Carragher just shut up because lukaku is a better player than u. Why don't u go and be a manager.
Fakelmns
6
These fcking English pundits are out of their mind, when it comes to talking about their flopped English players. Am City fan i barely believe Jack greelish is biggest flopp in Pl. Lukaku is good, but Chelsea is dull team with fcking 3 4 3 formation with no offensive and attacking midfielders. how good was Lukaku when he was at Inter.
Kkrexuke
0
Lukaku would function well with a strike partner.
todbkmpuz
1
some players cannot perform where expectations are at the maximum,, they prefer I team where whatever they play counts
Akp10
1
Chelsea and the coach should create the enabling environment for him to gel well. He was doing well at Inter. So the problem must be largely because of Chelsea's handling of the player.
No good ball passer like KDB and Cesc, if Lukaku should play a match for Belgium today he will make an impact because KDB and Hazard knows how well and how to setting well for goal scoring opportunities