Lukaku dropped
Unless you have been living under a rock, you are probably aware of the Romelu Lukaku interview that was released earlier this week.
The interview, which was with Sky Italia, has caused quite a stir amongst the Chelsea faithful, which is to be expected given Lukaku’s comments within it:
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
Following the interview, Thomas Tuchel has opted to leave Lukaku out of Chelsea’s matchday squad to take on Liverpool:
Here’s how we’ll line up today! ?@ParimatchGlobal | #CheLiv pic.twitter.com/kykD7JnV0B
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 2, 2022
How Chelsea squad reacted to Tuchel’s handling of Lukaku interview
This is a decision that had seemingly been taken due to the Belgian’s interview:
? Romelu Lukaku is not in Chelsea squad for visit of Liverpool. 28yo striker at centre of controversy in recent days after release of unauthorised interview in Italy. #CFC will now be without £97.5m summer signing for huge #LFC game @TheAthleticUK #CHELIV https://t.co/SSrl7sAK4H
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) January 2, 2022
Given the importance of the Liverpool clash in the race for the Premier League title, some may not be too happy with Tuchel’s decision to drop Lukaku.
For the most part, though, the German’s decision looks to have gone down fairly well with the rest of the Chelsea squad.
Miguel Delaney has reported that the Chelsea squad are broadly supportive of how Tuchel has handled the Lukaku situation:
Am told Chelsea squad broadly supportive of how Tuchel has handled all this.
— Miguel Delaney (@MiguelDelaney) January 2, 2022
And of course confirmed, as was widely reported yesterday, that Lukaky is out of the Chelsea squad altogether.
Tuchel felt a decision necessary, and there is still a feeling it will eventually blow over, but every few hours seems to bring a new development.
— Miguel Delaney (@MiguelDelaney) January 2, 2022
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