Romelu Lukaku: Chelsea striker’s interview ‘brings noise’ and is ‘not helpful’, says Thomas Tuchel

The striker gave an interview to Sky Italy in which he said he was ‘not happy’ with his situation at Chelsea

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has said he did not like Romelu Lukaku’s decision to speak out about his unhappiness at Stamford Bridge, claiming the striker’s comments were a “surprise” and “not helpful”.

Lukaku gave an interview with Sky Italy, which was published on Thursday after it was recorded three weeks ago, in which he said he was “not happy” with Tuchel and the system he has been asked to play in at Chelsea following his move from Inter Milan last summer.

The publication of the Belgian international’s comments came after Chelsea more dropped points in the Premier League title race following a 1-1 draw with Brighton on Tuesday, where Lukaku scored for the second match in a row following his return from injuries and Covid-19.

Tuchel has been left frustrated by an injury crisis at Chelsea, which has been exacerbated by Covid-19 absences and the Premier League’s hectic festive schedule, and the headlines created by Lukaku’s interview became the latest obstacle for the German ahead of his side’s crucial match against Liverpool this weekend.

Asked about Lukaku’s comments at a news conference on Friday, Tuchel said: “We don’t like it because it brings noise that we don’t need and it’s not helpful.

“But on the other side we don’t want to make more of it than it actually is. It is very easy to take lines out of context, it is very easy to make headlines and later realise that it is not so bad.

“But let’s be honest about it, I don’t like it. It makes noise that we don’t need for our environment and focus and and it does not help.

“I don’t think he is unhappy. I would have said the opposite. That’s why it is a surprise. Maybe we here need to take the time to try and understand what is going on because it does not reflect the daily work. It does not reflect the daily attitude, the daily behaviour that Romelu shows at Cobham.

“We will speak about it and we will do it behind closed doors and we will do it openly, because that’s the relationship we have.”

Chelsea have drawn three out of their last four Premier League matches to fall eight points behind leaders Manchester City, in what has been Tuchel’s most challenging spell at the club since his appointment 12 months ago.

Thomas Tuchel said Romelu Lukaku’s comments were a surprise (AFP via Getty Images)

Ahead of the fixture against third-placed Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, Tuchel was asked whether Lukaku’s comments had come due to Chelsea’s poor form in the Premier League.

“Romelu is a big player, an experienced player and he surely knows what kind of value it has when he speaks out like this,” he said. “Everything is easier when you win but this has nothing to do with that.

“In a dressing room is not necessary to always be in harmony. It is not necessary to be successful. You don’t have to hug each other, love each other every single day. Sometimes it’s good to be on the edge.

“With Romelu, I don’t think that anyone in this building is aware that he is unhappy, and that is what makes us very surprised about his statements. First of all we ne need to check because I can’t see any reason why it should be like this.

“And that’s all I can say about it. I’ll wait to hear what Romelu says and then we will deal with it.”

Tuchel also said that Reece James’ hamstring injury will be examined later on Friday, while adding that it is likely that Ben Chilwell will be ruled out for the rest of the season due to a knee injury.