Romelu Lukaku sparks Chelsea injury fears as Belgium confirm star has left camp
Chelsea 3-1 Southampton: Picture highlights
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Romelu Lukaku has sparked fears that he could be side-lined for Chelsea’s trip to Brentford after withdrawing from international duty due to injury. The frontman played a prominent role in Belgium’s dramatic 3-2 defeat to France on Thursday which saw them crash out of the Nations League.
The 28-year-old is now set to miss Belgium’s third-place play-off against Italy, and it remains to be seen whether he could miss some of Chelsea’s domestic schedule.
Lukaku scored the second goal, as well as what looked to be the winner on Thursday before it was agonisingly disallowed.
France then raced up the other end of the pitch to net a 90th minute winner and end Roberto Martinez’s dreams of sealing a trophy for the nation’s ‘golden generation’.
According to Sky Sports, muscle fatigue is to blame for Lukaku’s withdrawal and he is set to return to Belgium to receive medical treatment.
National team boss Roberto Martinez said: “It’s an overload. He didn’t feel 100 per cent to play tomorrow.
“It’s soreness in his tissue. Every decision taken involves both medical departments together for the good of the player.”
Lukaku has been Thomas Tuchel’s first choice to lead the line for Chelsea this season, and he will undoubtedly be a big miss if he is forced to sit out against Brentford.
The Bees have proven themselves as formidable opponents, taking points from Liverpool, Arsenal and West Ham in recent weeks.
Lukaku has already netted four Premier League goals so far this term, well on the way to beating Timo Werner’s six-goal haul last season.
Chelsea are set for a quickfire run of games after the international break’s conclusion, with three midweek fixtures in a row before they get another break.
Thankfully, the standard of opponents are not as tricky as they could be which should ease Tuchel’s nerves if he is forced to start without his star striker.
Things are tight at the top of the Premier League at present with a host of strong sides challenging for the title, although Chelsea have put a one-point buffer between themselves and the rest thus far.
Morale may have taken a hit, however, when Manchester City played them off the park to take all three points at Stamford Bridge two weeks ago.
They left it late to bounce back with a 3-1 win over Southampton, although a midweek defeat at Juventus could have planted further seeds of doubt in Tuchel’s side.
In the middle of a mildly rocky patch, the last thing they need is the absence of their primary goal-scorer.
Only time will tell whether he is ready for action when next weekend rolls around, but everyone at Chelsea, perhaps with the exception of Werner, will hope that his medical treatment in Belgium goes smoothly.
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