Ahead Of Chelsea Vs Arsenal, Tuchel Says Lukaku Doesn't Deserve To Play

Romelu Lukaku (Instagram.com/@romelulukaku)

JAKARTA - Chelsea will host Arsenal in the postponed match week 25 of the 2021/2022 Premier League on Thursday morning. Ahead of this match, the Blues coach, Thomas Tuchel hinted that he would not play Romelu Lukaku.

According to Tuchel, Lukaku does not deserve to play because he is not in the best condition after the injury. The Belgian striker is called the tactician not in a state ready to appear to defend the team.

"After a period of injury, he (Lukaku) did not have proper fitness for the game. I don't blame him. It's just a fact. It's not even his fault," Thomas Tuchel was quoted as saying by Football London, Wednesday.

"Playing him as a starter is an option. But if he starts early, we need him physically. Maybe he can't play 90 minutes, maybe only 60 minutes," he said.

Tuchel then said that in an important period leading up to the end of the season, Chelsea needed players who had a good rhythm and were ready to appear in fit condition. Meanwhile, Lukaku is not included in the conditions mentioned.

"In important periods of the season, what you need is a certain rhythm that is fast and that doesn't seem to be with him (Lukaku)," continued Tuchel.

Furthermore, Tuchel explained that Lukaku had to be able to lift his own weight during a difficult period of his career with Chelsea. Tuchel wants the former Manchester United player to struggle to rediscover his sharpness.

"I don't think he needs inspiration. What he needs is maybe that one moment (again to be impressive), a spark of passion," explained the coach.

For now, Chelsea occupies the third position in the standings with a collection of 62 points from 30 matches. They are 12 points adrift of Manchester City in second place, and only five points ahead of Tottenham in fourth.