Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel is reportedly continuing to struggle with Romelu Lukaku this season following the Belgian’s £103 million move from Inter Milan in the summer.
Lukaku came back to Stamford Bridge in the summer, and netted on his returning debut against Arsenal, but has struggled for goals since. At the time of writing, the 28 year old has just 5 Premier League goals to his name, and 12 in total in 34 appearances for the Blues.
Of course, that interview did him no favours, and Tuchel has rarely played to Lukaku’s strengths, leaving him cutting an increasingly frustrated figure at Stamford Bridge.
Romelu Lukaku to @SkySport: “Physically I am fine. But I’m NOT happy with the situation at Chelsea. Tuchel has chosen to play with another system – I won’t give up, I’ll be professional. I am not happy with the situation but I am professional – and I can’t give up now”. ? #CFC pic.twitter.com/KGNoJ10cwp
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 30, 2021
And, as per Goal, the disconnect runs deeper. Nizaar Kinsella reveals that, of the Chelsea squad, it is Lukaku that Tuchel struggles to keep a handle on the most, owing to his ‘superstar attitude’.
‘There are few individuals who act aggressively, even though Antonio Rudiger and Jorginho are known to bring an edge to training sessions, and it is arguably just Romelu Lukaku who carries himself with the personality of a footballing superstar’, the Chelsea correspondent reports.
‘For that reason, Tuchel has found the Belgian somewhat difficult to manage’, he added.
Chelsea find a way
Amid the controversy off the pitch and at times on it, Chelsea have still managed to find a way, which Thomas Tuchel must take a lot of credit for.
The Blues find themselves in the semi-finals of the FA Cup and the quarter-finals of the Champions League, having already added the club world cup and the European Super Cup to their trophy cabinet, while they are also seemingly assured of Champions League football next season.
While their issues off the pitch persist, on the pitch the Blues have been excellent.