THOMAS TUCHEL has pleaded with Chelsea fans not to make jokes about out-of-sorts striker Romelu Lukaku – while vowing to protect the Belgian.
Lukaku hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons in the Blues’ 1-0 win over Crystal Palace for recording the fewest touches ever in a Premier League game.
The beleaguered Belgium international, 28, only managed SEVEN touches throughout the game to the bewilderment of Blues fans who mused over his lack of effort on Twitter.
But Chelsea boss Tuchel is standing by Lukaku and wants the club’s supporters to rally around the striker who evidently could do with some empathy from Stamford Bridge’s faithful.
Speaking before the Blues take on French side Lille in the Champions League on Tuesday, Tuchel said: “Sometimes it’s like this with strikers if they struggle a little bit with self confidence and find the space to get involved with a good defensive side.
“It can be like this, of course it’s not what we want and what Romelu wants but it’s also not to the time laugh about him and make jokes about him.
“He’s in the spotlight and we’ll protect him.”
Lukaku’s second spell with Chelsea’s been plagued with issues, most notably his public bombshell that he would like to return to Inter Milan.
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The goal-shy attacker’s also only managed to hit the net ten times since his £97.5million move from the San Siro in the summer.
But Tuchel’s not worried by Lukaku’s drastic drop in form as many strikers including ex-Blues flops Fernando Torres and Andriy Shevchenko also struggled at the club.
After a big-money move from Liverpool in 2011, Torres failed to live up to the hype and could only manage to score just 20 goals in 110 Premier League games.
And Shevchenko – who joined the Blues in 2006 from AC Milan – also left his scoring boots in Italy.
The Ukrainian icon failed to make an impact in three seasons at Stamford Bridge – hitting the net just nine times in 48 Prem games.
He added: “There’s a history of strikers struggling at Chelsea. It is obviously not the easiest place to play. I’m not sure why it is.”
But Tuchel is hoping Lukaku’s goal-blip is down to the notable absences of full-backs Reece James and Ben Chilwell who provide a large chunk of the Blues’ assists.
Speaking on the crocked pair’s missing effect on Lukaku, Tuchel mulled: “Every style changes with long-term injuries to key players, we play many games with a back three and wing-backs. Two of the key wing-backs are Reece and Chilly, who got injured at their peak level.
“They had a huge impact on our game offensively and defensively, and regarding Romelu, with their speed and deliveries.
“Of course it changes and in the formation we play, wing-backs are crucial to influencing the game, but we can also play and win without any player.
“This is our job. When we have injuries and Covid cases, it’s on me to adapt to find solutions and Romelu will always be part of the solution.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
