Romelu Lukaku goes missing after touching the ball just SIX times in open play against Crystal Palace… he needs to feel loved to thrive at Chelsea, but any lingering resentment from his infamous interview may be unsettling him
- Romelu Lukaku has struggled to find his feet after rejoining Chelsea last summer
- The goals have not been flowing for the Belgium forward in the last six months
- He hit a new low when he only touched the ball seven times on Saturday
- Thomas Tuchel must now be seriously worried by the striker’s form and attitude
When reflecting on the opening six months of Romelu Lukaku’s return to Chelsea, it’s important to apply a semblance of balance.
It would be easy to make a snap judgment, particularly after his performance against Crystal Palace on Saturday — which was unquestionably one of the worst in Premier League history.
It wasn’t just the fact Lukaku had only six touches of the ball from open play (seven including the kick-off) during the entire game at Selhurst Park — breaking the record for the fewest involvements in a single Premier League match for a player who has completed the full game.
Chelsea’s Romelu Lukaku only touched the ball seven times against Crystal Palace on Saturday
It wasn’t just the fact he failed to register a single shot or that he completed only four successful passes the entire game.
It was his demeanour that should worry Thomas Tuchel the most. Saturday was so far removed from what a Lukaku performance should look like that alarm bells must be ringing.
There were moments against Palace when the Belgian looked unwilling to put in the hard yards. He should have done more than to get on the ball — the Lukaku that Chelsea paid £97.5million for would have done so.
So it begs the question: what’s eating away at the 28-year-old? The fact he hasn’t scored in the Premier League since December won’t be helping.
Chelsea managed to win the game but Lukaku’s demeanour was questionable at Selhurst Park
His 10-goal tally in all club competitions isn’t terrible, but it isn’t great either and it’s only natural for Chelsea to expect more from their record signing. By this point last season, Tammy Abraham — now at Roma — had scored 12 goals for the Blues.
Lukaku scored two of Chelsea’s three goals in Abu Dhabi to clinch the club’s first Club World Cup triumph so it would be unfair to claim the move has been a total disaster.
Any lingering resentment at the fall-out from his now infamous interview with Sky Sport Italia may be unsettling him.
Whatever it is, it is clearly becoming a problem for Chelsea and Tuchel.
With concerns about player fatigue within his squad heading into the business end of the season, it’s a problem the Chelsea manager could do without.
Thomas Tuchel may be growing concerned about Lukaku’s current level of performance
Lukaku is the sort of player that responds to an arm around the shoulder. He needs to feel loved, whether Tuchel is prepared to give his out of sorts striker the admiration he craves is another question.
Saturday’s narrow victory at Selhurst Park, courtesy of Hakim Ziyech’s 89th-minute winner, maintained Chelsea’s slim title hopes — particularly after Manchester City’s loss to Tottenham.
And given that they have the Carabao Cup final on Sunday, their Champions League defence recommences tomorrow and that they are still in the FA Cup, there is still time for Lukaku’s season to become a great one.
What happens between now and the summer is likely to dictate how Chelsea and the striker approach the close season.
An exit appears unlikely. Chelsea won’t get their money back on Lukaku. Similarly, the striker won’t want what would be construed as a failed season at Stamford Bridge on his CV.
But with Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe and Harry Kane obtainable this summer, it would be negligent of Chelsea to not consider other options if Lukaku continues to stutter.
If Lukaku continues to struggle, Chelsea may look for alternatives, including Harry Kane