Thomas Tuchel insists Romelu Lukaku ‘played a lot of matches’ and was left on the bench with Jorginho against Lille because they are both ‘mentally tired.’
Lukaku has been on the spotlight last week as Tuchel, left him on the bench in Chelsea’s Champions League match against Lille on Tuesday. The striker is reportedly unhappy at Stamford Bridge and, as per La Gazzetta dello Sport and Il Corriere della Sera, he’d like to return to his former club at the end of the season.
The 28-year-old misses the Nerazzurri and the city of Milan, but Inter do not seem willing to welcome him back, mainly due to economic reasons.
Tuchel provided updates on the ex Inter forward today, comparing his situation to the one of Italy international Jorginho.
“He [Lukaku] played a lot of matches. We had a similar situation with Jorginho, one of our captains, because we feel him a little mentally tired,” he said at a press conference, as quoted by Football London.
“The focus on Romelu that I understand but it’s a similar situation as Jorginho.
“The decisions are made clear and the players accept. Once you play for Chelsea, you accept the team goes first and that’s why there are no hard feelings, not from Romelu or from me.
“I did not read any headlines so I do not know the reaction,” the German coach continued.
“I trust my players and their focus. It’s very calm at the moment, we get injured players back in the group, quality back in the group.”
Jorginho, 30, has scored nine goals in 32 games with Chelsea this season. His contract with the Premier League giants expires in June 2023.
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