Chelsea transfer flop Lukaku still has Tuchel's trust - here's why

Martin Macdonald

• 20 Apr 2022 10:38 BST
• 3 min read

There is no doubt that Romelu Lukaku's return to Chelsea in the summer of 2021 has proved to be one of the most underwhelming Premier League transfers of recent memory, so far.

While it may have seemed odd on paper for the Blues to spend €117 million on a player they once had on their books as a young prospect, the signing of Lukaku was undoubtedly a statement transfer from the club.

After dominating Italian football with Inter with 64 goals in 95 games over the course of two seasons and helping the club win their first Serie A title in 10 years, the striker returned to English football as one of the best frontmen in world football and with a new point to prove.

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He took just 15 minutes into his second debut to find the back of the net. It was an especially happy homecoming given that it came away against Arsenal.

Lukaku's performances have fallen away as the season has gone on, while he sent shockwaves through the club by expressing regret at having left Inter during an explosive interview during the festive period.

The Belgian recently broke a record for having the least amount of touches (seven) for a starting Premier League player since Opta records began in a match against Crystal Palace.

In all competitions, he has 12 goals in 37 appearances, and, in recent months, he has lost his place in the team in the centre-forward position to Kai Havertz and even Timo Werner, a fellow misfiring forward.

What has Tuchel said about Lukaku?

Lukaku can certainly take heart from recent comments from Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel, however.

The player has been linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge this summer, but Tuchel isn't giving up hope that he can be a success just yet.

"It is pride for me and it should hopefully also be pride for him - and it is I guess," Tuchel told Sky Sports News.

"This is how we feel, we feel things getting personal then if we don't get it right and I feel it with any player. If we cannot get the best out of a player for the team it feels, personally for me I feel it and I don't want to have that feeling so.

"You never give up on players, you never give in, and I think Romelu is such a competitor that he feels the same and he behaves in the same way."

Tuchel has previously recognised that injuries have played a part in Lukaku's poor campaign, but the German also reckons his player needs some more luck in front of goal, too.

"All he needs is that spark," Tuchel explained.

"He maybe would've been a natural starter against Crystal Palace given the minutes Kai (Havertz) has played.

"But after a period of injury he lacked the fitness for matches. I don't point the finger at him, it's just a fact. Romelu should have had a goal against Real Madrid and Crystal Palace, but if he plays we need all that he has."