Is a Lukaku-Conte reunion at Tottenham now off?
Cameron Smith
- 4 Jan 2022 17:47 GMT
- 4 min read
Romelu Lukaku's relationship with Thomas Tuchel appears to have been saved thanks to the meeting the pair had on Monday.
In Tuchel's press conference ahead of Chelsea's Carabao Cup meeting with Tottenham Hotspur on Wedneday, the German head coach revealed that "we have to be adult enough and mature enough to accept an apology and do everything together to clear the air."
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He added that Lukaku is back in first-team training, and is in contention to feature against Tottenham.
Lukaku has apologised for his actions, at least to Tuchel, and the manager has stressed he's keen to move on from the issue.
Before the pair's meeting on 3 January, speculation arose surrounding Lukaku's future at Chelsea, with some sources suggesting he may look to leave the club, or the Blues may simply look to sell him.
What has been said?
A move back to Inter was touted, but a transfer to Tottenham was also spoken about. The Lilywhites are, of course, now managed by Antonio Conte, who was Lukaku's head coach at Inter. The pair had an excellent relationship, and Conte's former team-mate Fabrizio Ravanelli told Sky Sport Italia, as reported by Football Italia on 3 January, that he believes the Spurs head coach will attempt a move.
"I see him [Lukaku] join Tottenham, I think Antonio will do everything to sign him," he said.
"Perhaps Harry Kane could leave, Lukaku knows Conte’s system really well and I think there’s a chance to see Lukaku and Conte reunite in North London."
However, with news that Tuchel has dissolved the situation with Lukaku at Chelsea, a move to Tottenham for Belgium's all-time record goal-scorer would be nearly impossible. He may not have been interested in the first place, but given Tuchel's latest quotes on his Chelsea future, it appears a reunion between Lukaku and Conte, who developed quite the partnership in Italy, is off the table.
In the same interview, Ravenelli went on to praise Tuchel for how he dealt with Lukaku's antics.
"Tuchel has proved to have a strong personality in handling the Lukaku case,” the former Juventus forward admitted.
"He has proved that he cares more about the group than the single player. To me, he is the best coach in the world right now."
Lukaku is still yet to issue a public apology for the interview he conducted with Sky Italia, in which he revealed his desire to return to Inter and his displeasure with Tuchel's system at Chelsea, but he appears to have repaired his relationship with the head coach at Stamford Bridge.
A move away now seems unlikely for the man who's scored two goals in his past two appearances for Chelsea.
Could Lukaku actually leave Chelsea?
While Tuchel has calmed the waters for now, the player is still yet to address the issue, and will need to do so quickly before the Chelsea fans become more enraged by the situation.
Furthermore, while Tuchel has stressed there was no intention to create drama on Lukaku's part, there must have been truth in his quotes, so the player clearly isn't entirely happy at Chelsea.
If that is the case then he may well seek an exit from the club. It may not be in January or even the summer, but rumours of a move away with still bubble away underneath the surface.
In addition to that, Lukaku will need to start scoring on his return. He's found form following his injury and positive coronavirus test, but he needs to keep that up. For a club record signing, he hasn't performed as many were expecting, and his recent comments could ensure Chelsea lose patience at any goal drought quicker than usual.
If that happens, then a move away is a possibility.
It now seems unlikely, if not impossible, that Lukaku will leave Chelsea this January, and he certainly won't join Tottenham, as the Blues won't sell to a direct rival willingly, but a move away in the future could well happen.
It's also worth bearing in mind that Lukaku hasn't spent more than two seasons at a club since leaving Everton in 2017, so he could well become unsettled and push for a move away from Stamford Bridge next season.
