Tuchel: Lukaku has apologised and we forgive him
Cameron Smith
- 4 Jan 2022 08:28 CST
- 4 min read
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has revealed that Romelu Lukaku's comments to the media "weren't intentional," and says the Belgian has apologised for his actions.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of the first-leg of Chelsea's Carabao Cup semi-final against Tottenham, Tuchel revealed that Lukaku will be back in the squad for the game after he apologised for his comments.
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Lukaku was dropped for Chelsea's game against Liverpool at the weekend, but will be back in for the Tottenham match, according to his manager.
Chelsea's record signing has come under immense scrutiny for his quotes to Sky Italia, but Tuchel stressed that "it is not that big as people or you want it to be. It is also not small but small enough to stay calm, to accept an apology and to move on.
"First of all, we are happy that we took the time that we need to look calmly on it and talk calmly on it, this is what we did. He apologised and is back in the squad for training today. The most important thing was to understand and believe it was not intentional.
"There was never the slightest behaviour against the team. He is aware of what happened and he created and feels the responsibility to clean the mess up but there may still be a smell of course. He doesn’t have a choice, he can't expect people to be super happy the next day. But he is still our player, we are happy that he is our player and we will protect him.
"He is very committed. That is why it was so surprising to me. He scored against Villa and then the next game. I never, before the interview, had the slightest doubt that he was not committed.
"He is an emotional guy, he does not hold back with his opinion. We should not just blame him and point on the negative side of it, we have to adapt. It created some noise that you don't want but there are zero doubts in his commitment to the team."
Tuchel went on to reveal that he's dealt with more difficult scenarios in his managerial career, and knows Lukaku will fight for his place. "I have read more difficult quotes to cope with in previous years as a coach," he said. "He [Lukaku] was not happy because he was injured and had Covid but he wants to score for us, make us successful and that is pretty much it. I don't see any misunderstanding in communication. That is why I was surprised, and still am. In my dialogue with Romelu we compete for the same things, and he is our number nine.
"Was the intention to create trouble? To leave the club? I don't know, put pressure on the coach? No. Of course he should have known better, but we have to be adult enough and mature enough to accept an apology and do everything together to clear the air, and have a clear head to prepare for upcoming matches."
Why was Lukaku dropped in the first place?
Chelsea, who will host former manager Antonio Conte when Spurs come to Stamford Bridge, were without Lukaku in their thrilling 2-2 draw with Liverpool at the weekend, with Tuchel deciding to drop the Belgium international due to his comments to Sky Italia.
Lukaku said to the Italian arm of Sky Sports in December: "Physically I'm doing great. I'm just not very happy with the situation, but that's normal. I think the boss has decided to play a different formation but I have to stick at it and get on with it professionally."
He went on to regretfully speak about his departure from Inter in the summer, which reportedly angered his Chelsea team-mates. "I don't think any of it should have happened the way it did," he said. "The way I left Inter and the way I communicated with the Inter fans. I'm annoyed about that because it's not the right time now but it wasn't the right time when I left either.
"I always said that I love Inter and I'll play for them again. I really hope so. I fell in love with Italy... I hope from the bottom of my heart to go back to Inter and not at the end of my career but when I'm still at a good enough level to win more trophies."
