Chelsea manager Tuchel said after Lukaku's impressive debut against Arsenal last August: "I certainly don't think anyone wants to play with him. With his physicality, strength, propulsion and offensive space, he gives us another dimension. "At the time, even though the Blues were European champions, their new No. 9 looked like the kind of dominant, prolific centre-forward they've been missing. It only took him 15 minutes to open his scoring account before scoring four goals in his first four games back to Stamford Bridge. In fact, it's worth noting that the first four goals came from eight shots on goal.
And when Chelsea face Arsenal again in the Premier League six months later, the old man, who spent £100 million last summer signing from Inter, made his first start in two months. Tuchel has gone from praising the striker in a post-match interview to having to explain to the media why Lukaku is now mainly on the bench. Tuchel explained after winning the FA Cup semi-final over Crystal Palace last weekend: "After a period of injury, he lacks the physical fitness to play. But I didn't blame him. It's just the truth, not even his fault. At key moments in the season, you need a certain rhythm, like that. ”
As Kay Havertz and Werner gradually find their goal-scoring form and take the lead over Lukaku in the picks on the appearances, there is growing speculation that the 28-year-old may be allowed to leave at the end of the season. However, Tuchel insists Chelsea can still succeed under Romelu Lukaku. "For us, it's clear that we can play with Romeru, we can be very strong and we proved that," the German said, "and if he continues to be in good shape, we will prove it again." He can grow in this situation and become stronger. ”
"Of course, it's a disappointing status quo for him, not what we expected, but it's not over yet and we're not going to give in." We never give in to any player and never give up. We'll push him, we'll do what we can and as long as the player continues to maintain the mindset needed to lead the team forward, he can still be a key player. He has the ability to reach such a level again. This is in him and in us. He's still in the right place and all of us have something to improve. We will not give up. ”
However, Lukaku's current situation is undoubtedly very difficult, and his confidence seems to have been affected, with the attacker mostly sidelined in the last two games against Real Madrid and Crystal Palace. After the match at Wembley Stadium, Lukaku was asked for an interview by some reporters present, but he said he was "not allowed" and pointed to his mouth as he got into the car. That's because his unapproved interview with italian media in December was the beginning of all his troubles. After a period of sideline breaks, Lukaku looked back to what he used to be after scoring two goals in two games. However, with the interview being broadcast, Lukaku has not scored in the league since.
Sources close to the club believe the striker appears to have criticized Tuchel's tactics and declared his love for Inter milan to be timeless, but this has not been recognised by Chelsea fans, putting pressure on himself. The Blues hierarchy believe they have no choice but to ban Romelu Lukaku from the subsequent league match against Liverpool. After that public rebuke, Lukaku — who has struggled with teams that have been left unsupported — finds it difficult to recreate his best form.
The Italian media has always associated him with Inter, but from a financial point of view, a transfer seems impossible, and mainstream media sources have repeatedly refuted this possibility. Inter are considering signing Sassuolo striker Skamaca, while Romelu Lukaku's £325,000-a-week salary will prevent most other big clubs from pushing for his transfer. However, former Blues veteran Joe Cole declared after the FA Cup semi-final that "Lukaku has six weeks to save his Chelsea career" and he may be right.
Lukaku is signed to solve the team's goalscoring problem, which is exactly what he needs to do between now and the end of the season, if he wants to win Tuchel and the club's supporters. Unfortunately, in his second league match of the season against Arsenal, he did not make any progress despite getting a starting opportunity, and his side eventually lost the game 2-4. Lukaku's return could not have been better off at first, but has now become a war of attrition that exhausts all participants.