Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel slammed Romelu Lukaku’s sloppy performance in the 1-0 defeat to Manchester City on Saturday.
Tuchel criticised Lukaku for giving away the ball too often and too easily and added that the Belgian missed a huge chance to break the deadlock.
Lukaku returned to Chelsea last summer in a £98m move, but has been on the outs with Tuchel after giving an explosive interview in which he said he “wasn’t happy” with the manager’s tactics.
The Blues boss hit out at all his attacking players, but Lukaku was singled out. “He had many ball losses without pressure and in very promising circumstances,” said Tuchel.
“Of course we want to serve him but he is part of the team and sometimes he needs to do service as well. He had a huge chance so he’s included in this. He is part of the team and the performances up front, especially in the first half, we can do much better and we need to do better.
Thomas Tuchel needs more from Romelu Lukaku. pic.twitter.com/JAwvkj0jeD
— GOAL (@goal) January 15, 2022
“We had eight or nine attacking transitions in the first half and zero touches in the box. That is a big problem. There was a lack of timing and composure. We could have had more chances if we played with better precision.”
Chelsea fans were equally unhappy with Lukaku’s performance with supporters taking to social media to vent their frustration at the striker, while rival fans poked fun at the 28-year-old.
The only thing Lukaku has over Giroud is pace and he uses most of that to chase his own bloody first touch.
— Dubois (@CFCDUBois) January 15, 2022
Lukaku 2 weeks ago: ‘I will apologise on the pitch’.
Chelsea fans: pic.twitter.com/UJkxbHExdl
— Troll Football (@TrollFootball) January 15, 2022
Interviewer said “Lukaku had no service”
Tuchel: “maybe he needs bring us the service then and he also missed huge chances and lost the ball loads”
??
– ⁵ (@ JF5Era) January 15, 2022
Chelsea have lost the title race and Lukaku is out doing hand shakes with De Bruyne ? pic.twitter.com/ylQfM4vt9j
— Trey (@MCFCTrey) January 15, 2022
Grealish vs Lukaku, they having a £100m mid-off…
— ?™️ (@RealistGlizzy) January 15, 2022
Giroud is honestly so far ahead of Lukaku it’s insane. Giroud offered SO much to the Chelsea team yet we let him go for someone who is lazy and doesn’t wanna be here
Lukaku’s time is done. I don’t care what he does, he’s lazy and doesn’t care to help the team
– Vᴅʏᴋ (@VdykCFC) January 15, 2022
Ederson when Ziyech and Lukaku are pressing pic.twitter.com/Ri3cSEeIdi
– Kamogelo! (@kamoUtd) January 15, 2022
Chelsea had a great opportunity here but Lukaku wasn’t INTERested in scoring. ? pic.twitter.com/4dYWsGNjHW
— PF | Transfer News.? (@PurelyFootball) January 16, 2022
