Thomas Tuchel highlighted that Romelu Lukaku’s move to Chelsea ‘has not gone well’ so far and suggested that Jorginho should be offered a new contract.
The Blues suffered a painful 3-1 loss to Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge earlier this week, a result that almost confirms their exit from the competition. Tuchel’s side will now need to beat Los Blancos by three goals or more if they want to reach the next round of the Champions League, although two goals would be enough to bring things to extra time.
Speaking to La Repubblica, Tuchel first discussed his reaction after the 3-1 loss to Real Madrid.
“I was up all night after the game. I watched it on TV, eating chocolate, while taking notes. But I was so furious that every now and then I had to take a break in the kitchen.
“I knew it from the first minute. We didn’t occupy the spaces, nor did we make the right movements. We defended badly, we attacked badly, we never got the right rhythm and intensity. We’ll overcome this moment.”
The German coach then gave his thoughts on Lukaku and suggested that the former Inter man cannot be blamed. The 28-year-old has only scored five goals in 20 Premier League appearances this campaign.
“Romelu has a discomfort in his Achilles tendon, but we have to overcome fatigue, including mental fatigue. I love this club and the players. We can’t blame Romelu. By the way, he came on at 1-3, although he then missed a good chance. Lukaku didn’t destabilise us.
“He is a professional and he has been training very well recently. We bought him because we believed and still believe in him. Of course, so far the ‘marriage’ has not gone well.
“We have to admit it. It’s not over. In football, everything can change in an instant. It’s the same for the season of a striker like Romelu.”
Finally, Tuchel discussed the futures of Jorginho and N’Golo Kante and noted that the Roman Abramovich situation has not massively affected the squad.
“Jorginho and Kanté are due to expire in a year and these are situations to be avoided. Rudiger too, the same. We hope to resolve the situation by the summer. The Abramovich issue is not destabilising us. It hasn’t been like that so far.
“We train as usual here at Cobham, we play at Stamford Bridge, we prepare for matches in the same way. It should not be an excuse. Because nothing has changed for us.”
#Tuchel: 'Con #Lukaku non sta andando bene. I rinnovi di #Jorginho e #Rudiger? Entro estate spero si risolvano, ma…' #Inter e #Juve possono sognare https://t.co/sSKdfs5oLx pic.twitter.com/KbxT8zfJTI
— calciomercato.com (@cmdotcom) April 9, 2022
Conte made Lukaku. Without Conte, Lukaku is an average, whiny player. The attacking equivalent of Giaccherini.