Chelsea new-boy Lukaku explains Tuchel conversation about role he will play
Romelu Lukaku has revealed he has already discussed his role at length with new boss Thomas Tuchel after linking up with the Chelsea squad at training.
The 28-year-old has signed a long-term contract with the Blues after they agreed to pay £97.5million to bring the striker back to Stamford Bridge.
Lukaku has developed into one of the world’s most lethal strikers in front of goal and scored 24 goals in Serie A last season as Inter Milan clinched the Scudetto.
Moving back to the Premier League will represent a difficult challenge for the Belgian after a mixed two-year spell with Manchester United.
It has also been a topic for discussion as to whether the German, who guided the Blues to their second Champions League title using his trusted 3-4-3 formation, would keep it after Lukaku’s arrival.
Quizzed on whether he knew what his role would be, Lukaku told Chelsea’s official website: "Yes, of course!
"The conversation was really clear from him, that he wants me to be a presence and a leader in the team.
“I have to just use all my abilities to make sure I can help the team as much as possible.”
How many goals will Romelu Lukaku score at Chelsea this season? Let us know in the comments section.
Thomas Tuchel has already hinted he could tweak his formation in order to maximise the impact of his big-money signing.
Lukaku thrived in Antonio Conte’s 3-5-2 formation at Inter Milan after forging a fruitful partnership with Lautaro Martinez in Italy.
And the German head coach believes such a formation would suit Lukaku better than the current 3-4-3 formation, as well as giving Timo Werner a strike partner to combine with.
"I think we have now with Romelu the chance also to play with two strikers, like they did at Inter with him, or to continue with three strikers,” he said.
Lukaku confirmed Tuchel has offered up alternative game plans which could see him play not as a target man but alongside a striker such as Timo Werner or Kai Havertz.
And the Belgium international believes his time spent in Italy has sculpted him into a better player for his return to English football.
"My role will depend on what the game plan is and what the boss wants me to do,” he added.
“If he wants me to be a focal point or if he wants me to attack the spaces in behind, I can do it.
"The two years in Italy helped me master all the facets of the game for a striker and now I'm ready.
Lukaku is poised to go straight into the starting XI for his second Blues debut in the London derby against Arsenal on Sunday.
But he does not believe he needs time to settle in regardless of the formation because he is familiar with the setup, having played in a 3-4-3 and 3-5-2 at club and national level.
"I like the system that we play and I’m very flexible,” he said.
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"I can play as a two or by myself and I'm used to the system because it's what we play with the Belgian national team so I don't need much time to adapt.”
"I just want to try to help the team win and be available for the manager as well as for my team-mates.
"I want to make sure that they feel comfortable and they can lean on me in whatever situation we're in."
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