Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel was left unimpressed by striker Romelu Lukaku’s comments on his current predicament. The German responded by saying that the timing of his player’s comments hasn’t been helpful in the Blues’ cause.
A previously recorded interview with Lukaku rocked the Chelsea camp on Thursday night, as it came to light that the Belgian is unhappy with his current situation at the club. The Belgian, who had scored twice in two games recently, claimed the head coach had decided to play a different system than the one he was comfortable with.
“Physically I’m doing great. I’m just not very happy with the situation, but that’s normal.
I think the boss has decided to play a different formation but I have to stick at it and get on with it professionally.”
the striker said.
Asked about Lukaku’s comments in his pre-Liverpool press conference, Tuchel stated he was unhappy with the timing of the interview, as it comes amid his team’s poor run of form.
“We don’t like it, of course. It brings noise that we don’t need and it’s not helpful.
“I don’t feel him unhappy. I feel the exact opposite. If you’d asked me yesterday morning, I would say I feel the exact opposite.
That’s why I would say it’s a surprise, but I am the wrong person to ask.”
The German confirmed plans to sit down for talks with Lukaku, who, despite his comments, is unlikely to leave Chelsea in the January transfer window. As reported by Daily Telegraph journalist Matt Law, the club is keen to hold onto the Belgian, for whom they broke their transfer record in the summer.
Lukaku has been in and out of the Chelsea first team since his £97.5 million move from Inter Milan, part of which has to do with injuries and coronavirus infections. Nonetheless, the 28-year-old has scored seven goals for the Blues, five of which have come in the league.
Since his return from a COVID-induced spell, he has also netted twice in two games, earning his side four points from a possible six against Aston Villa and Brighton.
