‘It was not intentional’ – Tuchel insists Lukaku is keen to ‘clean his mess up’
Thomas Tuchel has insisted that Romelu Lukaku “did not intentionally” attempt to disrupt Chelsea ahead of their game against Liverpool.
Lukaku was left out of Chelsea’s squad for their clash against Liverpool over the weekend.
In the build-up, Lukaku stated that he was “not happy” with his current situation at Chelsea.
F365 says: Lukaku should not apologise for Sky Sports ‘noise’
The Blues fared well without their record signing as they fought back from behind to draw 2-2 against Jurgen Klopp’s side.
Lukaku has been in training this week and he held positive talks with Tuchel on Monday.
Chelsea are back in action on Wednesday night. They face Tottenham at Stamford Bridge in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final.
Lukaku is expected to be involved against Spurs. As quoted by BBC Sport, Tuchel has suggested that the issue has been blown out of proportion.
“We have given it time to look calmly back on. He apologised and is back in the squad for today’s training,” said Tuchel.
“For me, the most important thing was to understand – and clearly understand – it was not intentional. He did not do this intentionally to create this kind of noise in front of a big game.
“Even before, when he seemed to be, in his opinion, ready to play after his injury from the start and we thought he needed to readapt to the intensity a little bit more, there was never the slightest behaviour against the team.
“So, it was the very first time that he felt in this way. It’s very important points to understand and stay calm and understand it’s not that big as maybe people want it to be.
“It’s also not small, but it’s small enough to stay calm, accept an apology and to move forward.”
Tuchel went onto insist that Lukaku “feels the responsibility to clean the mess up”:
“Well, he’s very aware of what happened and what he created. He feels the responsibility to clean the mess up!
“Maybe we will have a bit of smell still from the comments, of course, but he can handle it. There is also no other choice. He has to expect it now that people will not be super happy the very next day.
“But, he is still our player and we have good, good, reasons to make him play for us and to convince him to fight hard.
“In the end, it’s very important that the stadium supports the team and even if someone disagrees with it, it is about the team in everything we do.
“I hope the supporters can take this can on supporting the team because we are in the moment where we really need them.”