Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku does not feature in manager Thomas Tuchel’s plans right now, according to journalist Dean Jones.
The big Belgian has fallen out of favour at Chelsea. He became the club’s most expensive signing in history when he arrived in the summer. However, the impact he made since joining has left much to be desired so far.
LUKAKU’S TUMULTUOUS START AT CHELSEA
After recording an interview with Sky Italia in December, in which he appeared to question Tuchel’s tactics, Lukaku was quickly reintegrated into the Chelsea squad and became a regular starter once again.
He was instrumental in the club’s success at the Club World Cup where he scored in the semi-final as well as the final. Chelsea has eventually crowned champions and Lukaku played his part.
Since then he has struggled again, accumulating only seven touches on the ball against Patrick Vieira’s Crystal Palace. The striker failed to get involved in the game and was isolated for most of the match.
The Belgian was dropped in the Champions League game against Lille. He didn’t start against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup Final. In the club’s latest game against Burnley, the Belgian wasn’t called into action as Chelsea swept past them 4-0 at Turf Moor.
JONES ON LUKAKU AT CHELSEA
Jones believes that Lukaku’s time at the club might be over. Having failed to get minutes in recent matches, the Belgian is no longer crucial to the team. And it does look like manager Tuchel doesn’t consider him part of his plans.
Speaking to GIVEMESPORT about what could be learned from his failure to get any minutes against Burnley, Jones said:
“I think you can take from it that Lukaku’s not in Tuchel’s favoured first-team plans right now.”
Manager Tuchel has also admitted to the striker not being happy at Chelsea.
WHO SHOULD START FOR CHELSEA?
Earlier in the summer when Chelsea signed Romelu Lukaku it was widely considered to be one of the best signings the club could have made. Fast forward to a few months and things are looking so much different.
The striker has fallen out of favour at the club and seems to be behind Kai Havertz in the pecking order. Havertz, who scored the winner in both the Champions League Final as well as the Club World Cup Final, is no stranger to scoring and has proved to be more than able to lead Chelsea’s attack.
Havertz has made the position his own and was Chelsea’s key threat against Liverpool. The German also scored a brace at Turf Moor. His main strength is his link-up ability and his off the ball work rate. And the Belgians has struggled with both this season.
Therefore, despite Lukaku being Chelsea’s highest earner – he reportedly receives £325,000-per-week, it is hard to make a case that he should be starting ahead of Havertz, as things stand.
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