How Chelsea squad ‘reacted’ to Thomas Tuchel’s handling of Romelu Lukaku saga

"Stupid to think Chelsea in title race": Thomas Tuchel

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Chelsea’s players were reportedly ‘broadly supportive’ of Thomas Tuchel’s decision to drop Romelu Lukaku following his controversially open interview with Sky Italia, in which he appeared to disrespect the Blues and his team-mates. The Belgian has been left out of the matchday squad to face Liverpool this afternoon as punishment for his actions with Tuchel expected to sit down with Lukaku for a second time on Monday.

While the interview is understood to have taken place three weeks ago, Lukaku’s comments have rocked the boat at Stamford Bridge.

He declared his desire to return to Inter Milan on a number of occasions, admitting his regret at the way things ended in Italy.

Lukaku also confessed he is unhappy with his current situation at Chelsea and even claimed he was not 100 per cent set on returning to the club.

Instead, he name-checked Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich as the clubs he considered to be the biggest in the world.

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Tuchel took the chance to respond ahead of the visit of Liverpool, making it clear he was not best pleased.

“I don’t like it because it brings noise that we don’t need. It’s just not helpful,” Tuchel said.

“On the other side, we don’t want to make more out of it than it actually is. You know very well how it is – it’s very easy to take lines out of context. It’s very easy to shorten lines and make headlines, then later realise that it’s not so bad and maybe not what he meant.

“But let’s be honest that we don’t like it.”

Tuchel has been forced into making the difficult decision to leave Lukaku at home for the crunch showdown with Liverpool, a match Chelsea desperately need to win if they’re to catch Manchester City.

According to The Independent, Chelsea’s squad are said to be broadly supportive of their manager’s decision.

While Lukaku is a popular figure around Cobham, it’s clear he overstepped the mark and was too honest for his own good.

“I don’t feel him unhappy,” said Tuchel in response to Lukaku’s claims he was not pleased with his situation at Chelsea.

“I feel him the exact opposite, that’s why it’s a surprise. But I’m the wrong person to ask.”

Tuchel later added: “We will and we will do it behind closed doors.

“We will do it openly like I think the relationship has always been. No further comments in public on that.”

Lukaku’s old Everton team-mate Tim Howard appeared to throw Lukaku under the bus when discussing texts with the striker on NBC Sports’ broadcast of the match in America.

It’s claimed Howard said Lukaku text him: “I can’t talk too much about it. It is very hot. There is another meeting on Monday.

“I have another meeting on Monday, I can talk more after that.”

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