Thomas Tuchel did not call Romelu Lukaku into the starting XI of Chelsea in the first leg of the Champions League against OSC Lille. Tuchel cited a lack of fitness as the reason.
“I had the feeling that he was a bit tired and exhausted,” explained Tuchel before the game BT Sport.
Lukaku has been playing a lot recently, added the Chelsea coach and attested Lukaku “not the best performance” in the game against Crystal Palace. Loud chooseLukaku had set a negative record in the Blues’ 1-0 win on Saturday with just seven ball contacts.
“It might be easier to come off the bench and turn the tide if necessary,” said Tuchel.
Lukaku returned to Stamford Bridge from Inter Milan for 115 million euros in the summer. But so far he hasn’t been completely convincing. Earlier this year, Lukaku had criticized his role under blues coach Thomas Tuchel and his general situation. Although he later apologized to fans, the 28-year-old caused a stir with a cryptic Snapchat message. “If you have to force it, then it probably doesn’t fit,” Lukaku wrote.
Lukaku has scored ten goals in 28 competitive games for Chelsea this season and also provided two assists.
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