Romelu Lukaku’s lack of fitness means he ‘is not fit enough for the intensity of our game’, reveals Thomas Tuchel – as Chelsea manager prefers Timo Werner from the start in FA Cup semi-final against Crystal Palace
- Romelu Lukaku missed Chelsea’s second leg tie away in Madrid with an injury
- Timo Werner was picked ahead of the Belgian having impressed in the week
- The former Manchester United striker’s future at Stamford Bridge is uncertain
Thomas Tuchel has said Romelu Lukaku’s lack of match fitness meant he was unable to start in Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final against Crystal Palace.
Timo Werner, who scored for Chelsea in their agonising loss to Real Madrid over two legs, was picked ahead of the Belgian.
Tuchel, who has endured a difficult season with the £97.5m striker, revealed prior to kick-off that despite his presence on the bench the striker’s fitness levels were not up to scratch to play from the start.
Thomas Tuchel said the Belgian’s fitness did not meet the requirements for Chelsea’s intensity
The German said: ‘He is not fit enough for the intensity of our game in an FA Cup semi-final.
‘It’s not easy to come into a game such as this with so much riding on it after a spell out with injury.
‘It’s just a case of him not having as much minutes recently as the other players, his match fitness is not quite there otherwise there’s a big chance that he would have started today.’
Lukaku’s return to Chelsea has not gone as successfully as it appeared it would when he netted twice in his first two games back at the club.
Tuchel did not hide his frustration with the player after he gave an interview to Sky Italia at the end of last year saying that some of the German’s tactics left him unhappy.
Timo Werner’s performance away in Madrid encouraged Thomas Tuchel to start the player
Romelu Lukaku has impressed in the FA Cup this season, scoring against at Boro and others
The Belgian had enjoyed a stunning spell with Inter Milan, scoring 47 times over two years and winning the Scudetto in his final season at the club. He has been unable to replicate the same form on his return to Chelsea and his now-crucial miss against Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge rather sums up his return, so far.
Tuchel said the player needed to show patience and ‘work hard for the team’ and goals would come.
He said: ‘He [Lukaku] had a huge chance against Real Madrid and things can go so fast.
‘Nobody knows what this goal would have done for us if he had taken his chance with the late header.
‘It is exactly what he needs to do — wait, be patient, work hard and put the team first, be ready to help the team, because as a striker you can help within seconds.’
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