Thomas Tuchel currently has many building sites at Chelsea FC, some of them off the pitch. Before the League Cup semi-final against Tottenham, the coach spoke about the reconciliation with Romelu Lukaku, the contract situation of Antonio Rüdiger and the fitness status of Timo Werner.
The match was followed by a debate with Tuchel, who simply wanted to understand how the Blues’ record signing came to make these statements. “The most important thing for me was that it was not intended to spark this big unrest before an important game. Moreover, it was the very first time I had misbehaved with the team,” said Tuchel, to whom Lukaku apologised, saying he was back in the team as of now.
“It comes down to adapting “
Lukaku had spoken in that interview about Tuchel playing a different system to the one he was promised before returning to London. To which the 48-year-old dryly replied: “It’s not difficult with Romelu, he’s a striker and that’s where we put him. We have never done anything different. It comes down to adapting, to the league and to the club.” Tuchel has no doubts about that, though, and is sure “he will have a big impact in the future.”
Whether Lukaku is also so sure of that seems questionable to say the least, although the Belgian did apologise publicly in a video posted on the club’s website. “I should have been clearer. The interview was about saying goodbye to Inter fans, not being disrespectful to Chelsea. They made a big effort for me and I also wanted to go back,” the Belgian said, stressing that “as a young boy I always wanted to play for Chelsea. I signed a five-year contract to be successful with Chelsea FC. I am sorry for the commotion I caused. I apologise to the fans, the manager and my teammates. I understand the frustration among the fans and now it’s up to me to show my loyalty 100 per cent.
Rüdiger playing at “excellent level “
The future is uncertain for Antonio Rüdiger, whose contract, unlike Lukakus’, ends with the Blues in the summer. Interest in the German international is high, with Tuchel keen to keep his regular defender. “Of course it’s possible to negotiate with other clubs now because he hasn’t signed yet. But as I understand it, we are in negotiations with him. I assume that he knows what I expect from him and how I value working with him. The level at which he plays continues to be very high and outstanding. “
Werner back on the bench
The current situation is completely different for Timo Werner, the attacker has been absent for a long time recently due to a Corona infection and has only played twelve competitive games for the Blues this season (four goals). However, the German international striker returned to training ahead of Wednesday’s League Cup semi-final against Tottenham. “He feels much better and has not shown any reaction. We can take him on the bench and maybe give him a few minutes,” Tuchel said.
Meanwhile, defender Trevoh Chalobah has no chance of playing, with an old injury having flared up again. Former Gladbach player Andreas Christensen is also more than questionable for the clash with Spurs.
