Chelsea source: Lukaku accused of being 'overweight' by Tuchel behind the scenes

Founder & Managing Director AUTHORITY Former chief correspondent at Evening Standard, Goal and Press Association with nearly three decades in national, regional and digital news and sports journalism. Wayne directs the network’s news strategy and high-level operations. FOCUS Editorial direction for the 11-site network and newsroom management. THE BRIEF Wayne oversees the network’s editorial standards across the network. He provides the final sign-off on all headline scoops, ensuring content across all platforms meets the standards required for a high-velocity newsroom.

Published on:

06 Jan 2022, 3:00 am

Romelu Lukaku's controversial interview that's put him at loggerheads with Chelsea and the club's supporters came after he was criticised by Thomas Tuchel for being overweight, Football Insider can exclusively reveal.

The striker was fined by the Londoners and dropped from the team for publicising his unhappiness at life at Stamford Bridge.

A Chelsea source has told Football Insider that issues behind the scenes between Lukaku and Tuchel led up to the now notorious Sky Italy interview.

The manager was believed to be unhappy that the powerhouse striker has weighed in at between three and eight kilograms heavier this season than he was at Inter Milan last term.

This includes when the forward was out between mid-October and late November due to injury.

The source explained that Tuchel was unhappy with Lukaku's condition and pulled him into his office to ask him about his weight.

The manager quizzed the striker about why he was not as quick and sharp as he had been at Inter last season.

Lukaku did not like Tuchel's comments and went on to give his Sky Italy interview more than three weeks ago that has led to such a backlash.

It is believed the club's record signing was partly motivated to talk about his unhappiness and desire to return to Inter one day by the manager's accusations.

The fall-out from that led to a one-game exile and the axe for the Premier League clash against Liverpool last Sunday that finished 2-2.

Lukaku was recalled for Wednesday's EFL Cup semi-final first leg clash against Tottenham that ended in a 2-0 win for Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

He played the full 90 minutes of the match, only the second time he has done so since 2 October.

In other news, Chelsea have left expert "amazed" as "brilliant footage" emerges.

Chelsea FC