The Blues’ record signing mustered just seven touches of the ball in the 1-0 win over Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has suggested Romelu Lukaku – not the tactics – was to blame for his own performance against Crystal Palace.
The Belgian striker had just seven touches of the ball at Selhurst Park in a near-anonymous display from a match where he was starved of service, spending most of it – if that – feeding off scraps.
Lukaku had just two touches of the ball in the first half, with one coming from a free-kick. He slightly improved after the break, albeit with just five touches instead, as Tuchel played a 4-1-4-1 formation – ditching his usual back three.
Hakim Ziyech’s 89th-minute goal, however, was enough to seal Chelsea a 1-0 win.
🗣️ "I think we were solid, especially defensively. Of course we can play better but we got the three points and this is very, very important for us."
Thomas Tuchel's full-time thoughts following @ChelseaFC's late 1-0 win over @CPFC.
🎙️ @CarrieBrownTV #beINPL #CRYCHE #CFC pic.twitter.com/vUPOHMnStu
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_EN) February 19, 2022
What went wrong with Lukaku?
Asked by beIN SPORTS about Lukaku’s performance, and whether his tactics had anything to do with it, Tuchel replied: “No. No, it’s not about system.”
“It is what it is,” the manager continued. “But it is for him no change of system because it’s the same attacking structure.
“We always attack in a 4-1, it’s just for the build-up. Sometimes we build-up in a 3-2 and sometimes in a 4-1. For him, it changed nothing.”
Speaking to reporters in a post-match press conference about Lukaku afterward, Tuchel added: “I’m not so sure if I have a good answer for your question, I don’t know.
“Obviously, he was not involved and could not make a point today. I’m not sure if it says so much about us in general.”
Lukaku will hope for better on Tuesday when Chelsea welcome Lille to Stamford Bridge for the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.
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