Thomas Tuchel says it is "not the time to laugh" about Romelu Lukaku after the Chelsea striker only managed seven touches against Crystal Palace.
Lukaku set a new Premier League record for the fewest touches from a player who's played a full 90 minutes since statistics started being recorded by Opta in the 2003/04 season.
The Belgium international only managed seven touches in the 1-0 victory at Crystal Palace on Saturday - and one of those was from kick-off.
Asked how he can get Lukaku to touch the ball more often, Tuchel said: "What can I do? I don't know. We have to deal with it.
"The data is out there and the data speaks a certain language. He was not involved in our game, it's sometimes like this with strikers, if they struggle a bit with self-confidence, to find the space and to get involved against a good defensive side, it can be like this.
"It's not what we want or Romelu wants but it's also not the time to laugh about him and makes jokes about him. He's in the spotlight but we will protect him."
'Chelsea have history of struggling strikers'
Lukaku has scored five goals in 17 Premier League appearances this season since his £97.5m move from Inter Milan last summer.
Tuchel, who is preparing Chelsea for Tuesday's visit of Lille in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie, highlighted the 28-year-old is not the first striker to struggle at Stamford Bridge and suggested the reason for that could be the system he plays in.
"Maybe, maybe," Tuchel said. "There is a history of strikers struggling a little bit at Chelsea so it may not be the easiest place in the world for strikers. I don't know why it's like this.
"In my opinion, Chelsea are a team considered a strong defensive team, a physical team, that has a certain attitude when in competitive football.
"We demand a lot of our strikers in terms of defending. We want to be physical, hard-working group that wants to play a physical game and as a skilful game. That maybe plays a part.
"We are on the subject and are well aware, but like always in football it's not just one reason to sort a problem. It's a complex sport and we will try to continue to play with faith, with a team effort."
Can low-scoring Lille shock holders? Opta stats...
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Pozknosuyz
0
i told jou all.lukaku lovers he dont fit in chelsea and if TT forced too play him it will.cost his exit
rozacesz
0
am not sure if he touches the ball that number I was following him throughout the game I counted 5 I don't know that others are accounting aswell
rozacesz
0
If Chelsea had not won the game, Lukaku may have close all his social media accounts by now because I know how angry Chelsea fans can be.
Lukaku is useless in Chelsea line up
rozacesz
0
Mark my words this lukaku will go to the extent of causing TT the job if not careful. The guy is out of form why keep playing him, he better play Werner . he can get a lot of chances , miss some and assist some , not like that guy keep calling for the ball behind 2 or 3 defenders n make only 7 touches for + 90 minutes.
you are right I saw this coming from beginning I warned them to avoid the signing.
rozacesz
0
lukaku is a very good player
said by who or by playing or by mouth
rozacesz
1
If they like let them bring Iniesta, Xavi and Lampard back to their younger age Lukaku will remained a flop he never in Chelsea's level.
Justinhendrix
0
Chelsea new a good standout winger like saint maxima of new castle to bring out the best from lukaku and also a good creative midfielder to assist kovacic bring back Gallagher into the first team believe lukaku will flourish lukaku is Neva a flop
Fiadeiloty
0
7 touches in 90 minutes it's a lie
I swear ,,it’s not a lie
Ibe7
0
Lukaku's former team-players trying to show the Referee how exhausted Lukaku actually is at Chelsea... So Lukaku be happy your former team is doing their best to help you... Chelsea fans... you got what you bidded for🤣
BayuPermanaPutra
0
i think i can manage to get 8 touches if i have a chance to play in premier league [Crylaugh]
AshraT
0
Was he running away from ball passed to him or something else?
Caecdlny
0
Lukaku is not kind of striker who was needed at Chelsea thise is not surprise to me
kaman95
1
Mark my words this lukaku will go to the extent of causing TT the job if not careful. The guy is out of form why keep playing him, he better play Werner . he can get a lot of chances , miss some and assist some , not like that guy keep calling for the ball behind 2 or 3 defenders n make only 7 touches for + 90 minutes.
wohbcdeikt
3
lukaku is a very good player
Danaceknru
1
with a player like j5 in midfield with continue back pass lukaku can't plenty goals...watch when kova was introduce game change.jorgy is a flop midfielder.
william2
0
[Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh] lukaku
senabikmuz
1
lukaku are his own problem. Because everything was moving perfectly for him before that interview. since then all Chelsea players don't want to pass to him. Because of his own i dey too much,
Dupsyn
6
If Chelsea had not won the game, Lukaku may have close all his social media accounts by now because I know how angry Chelsea fans can be.
Jiabdlpsy
4
Midfielders need to pass the ball to him! a striker can not score minus being passed the ball. whenever he is free and asks for the ball, none is passing to him. Don't blame Lukaku
Homckln
1
End is near [Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
Samabcnrst
4
No we will laugh because Chelsea let go of Strikers(Abraham & Giroud) who are performing well to buy a flop for a Club record fee😂😂
Zenbilpruz
4
is Chelsea that have a big problem on all striker don't blame lukaku @ll
SamKerr
1
Chelsea should look to retire the no 9 jersey! It's cursed!
Tawcdiouz
3
Lukaku is not to be blamed for this it's like the team has stopped trusting him and they do not want to passed him sometimes.
ledceiprsy
2
7 touches in 90 minutes it's a lie
ledceiprsy
1
Meanwhile Tammy Abraham is about to reach 20 goals
Grinfinz
0
Lukaku must be benched, he can't even look for the ball, all he does is just to walk like a dead person... bench him...
Now I know why you can’t even qualify for top for all these while... it’s salah no lukaku fish head
Vahabdikry
4
Lukaku must be benched, he can't even look for the ball, all he does is just to walk like a dead person... bench him...
moacinrsu
1
No wonder they said Aboubakar of 🇨🇲 is better than Lukaku
Echee27
1
luķaku manger discussing whether to sold lukaku to Tottenham Hotspur to reunite with conte
[image]
Teachers that taught you English laughing after reading your comment,..[Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
ijelejoe
3
Thomas Tuchel trying so hard to make lukaku the striker that Chelsea always wanted 👇👇👇😂😂😂🤗🤗
one_black
5
luķaku manger discussing whether to sold lukaku to Tottenham Hotspur to reunite with conte
Wecceilnou
2
lukaku need to be sold next summer, is a wasted player
Andy_Mac
1
If we can't laugh, then we have to cry
Meyeinstuy
4
hhhhh only seven touches. i can do better than you.