It is not the time to laugh at Lukaku – Thomas Tuchel defends misfiring no.9
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has reposed his confidence in Romelu Lukaku while answering questions on the Stamford Bridge number 9’s woeful outing against Crystal Palace last weekend in the Premier League during the press conference for Chelsea’s champions league clash against Lille.
The big Belgian had just 7 touches for all the 90 minutes he was on the pitch, the lowest of any player who lasted 90 minutes since that data became available in 2004.
He said, “What can I do? I don’t know. Now we have to deal with it. There is data 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 with self-confidence and to find the space and get involved against a good defensive side, it can be like this.
“It is not what we want, not what Romelu wants. It is not the time to laugh about him, to make jokes about him. He is in the spotlight and we will protect him because he is our player.”
Lukaku scored two in two matches for Chelsea in the semi-final and finals of the Club World Cup which the European champions won in Abu Dhabi but has failed to transfer that spark to Premier League as he continues to struggle to exert his authority in the side following his return after injury and a Corona enforced absence from the side.
Supporters have vilified the forward while calling for Timo Werner to be given the prominent role in the middle of Chelsea’s attack instead of the £97.5m former Inter Milan, Manchester United and Everton striker.
