Chelsea will attempt to keep its Premier League title hopes alive without club-record sign Romelu Lukaku after director Thomas Tuchel left the $ 135 million advancing out of the squad to face Liverpool following the release of an interview the early gave to an italian media mercantile establishment .
In the interview with Sky Sports Italia — which was reportedly conduct several weeks ago — Lukaku said he was not felicitous at Chelsea, citing a change in tactics by Tuchel. But he did besides state that he was a professional and was committed to working hard.

The release of those comments caused a media storm, specially since Lukaku besides spoke in glow terms about his prison term at Inter Milan and his desire to one day return to the italian club that he helped lead to a league title in 2020-21 anterior to his move to Chelsea. MORE: Tuchel’s comments in response to the Lukaku interview
Tuchel was forced to address the Lukaku interview in the newsworthiness conference the day before what is a potentially decisive league struggle against Liverpool with 11 points separating the Blues from first-place Manchester City. The german coach lamented that it was “ randomness that we do n’t need ” and besides made the font that he has made minimal tactical tweaks to the team : “ You will find not a fortune of organization changes, if you find any. ” Whatever subsequent individual conversations were had until now with Lukaku clearly didn’t remedy the site. Former Everton teammate Tim Howard exchanged texts with Lukaku on Sunday dawn sharing that Lukaku and Tuchel are ” going to have another touch on Monday. I can speak more after that. right now the situation is besides hot. ” now the Blues have to face a likely season-deciding match without their go striker, who has scored in his end two outings. here ‘s what Tuchel told Sky Sports UK shortly before the kickoff :

What Lukaku said in Sky Sports interview

The time of the Sky interview passing was curious, given it reportedly was conducted three weeks anterior. It besides came at a time when Lukaku seemed to be gaining some momentum after an injury saw him miss extensive clock time. He scored in his first two matches back in the lineup. “ I ‘m not felicitous with the site and that ‘s lone natural, ” Lukaku told Sky Sports Italia ( in comments translated from italian ). “ The head coach has decided to play a unlike organization, but I need to keep working arduous and be master. “ I ‘m not glad with the situation but I ‘m a worker and I can not give up. ” There was enough of guess as to what Tuchel would do in answer. His decision to drop Lukaku from the squad is a net bless that the interview was perceived as impart damaging to the team .

Will Lukaku leave Chelsea? What happens next?

Lukaku ‘s comments to Sky Sports Italia may have come at a here and now of frustration as he was making his way back from a drawn-out injury absence during what has been a choppy beginning to his return at Chelsea. He has missed eight of 21 league matches and he has only scored in four of his 13 appearances for a full of five Premier League goals. He besides found the net twice in the four Champions League matches he played. MORE: Premier League top scorers table in 2021-22 Tuchel referenced the difficult depart to the season that the belgian external has experienced after joining in August on a $ 135 million transplant fee from Inter Milan : “ Romelu played when he came, then he got hurt, then he caught COVID. It does not make it better, but that is my situation. He gave an interview, so possibly he has a problem so he needs to speak up. I do n’t have one. ”

Given the tied of investment made by Chelsea, it ‘s hard to see the defending european champions looking to offload a player deemed to be critical to their ability to challenge for major titles in 2021-22. Differences in tactical opinions are commonplace inside clubs and can be resolved. The main return in this case is the opinion shown by the 28-year-old in taking his public opinion to the media — and obviously blindsiding his own coach and hurting his team .

particularly since Lukaku made it unclutter in the consultation that he ‘d continue to work difficult and be professional — he has scored two goals since doing the sit-down interview — it would seem there would be a willingness from the musician to make the site study. however, it ‘s the words he expressed about Inter Milan and his love for his erstwhile italian club that will credibly be the hardest separate to digest for Chelsea supporters. The reaction among fans and media has been mixed, with most siding with Tuchel for a decision many felt he had to make. meanwhile, some Chelsea supporters besides expressed a impression of betrayal :