Romelu Lukaku: ‘Unhappy’ Chelsea star could now be frozen out after what I’ve seen – pundit
Noel Whelan has suggested Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel prefers Kai Havertz over Romelu Lukaku due to his superior mobility.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed the 28-year-old Belgian “won’t be happy” on the substitutes’ bench.
Lukaku was named on the bench for Chelsea’s penalty shoot-out loss against Liverpool in the League Cup final yesterday (27 February), despite being an unused substitute against Lille in the Champions League on Tuesday (22 February).
The former Man United hitman entered the fray to replace Mason Mount after 74 minutes and saw a goal disallowed for offside soon after coming on.
Whelan claimed Lukaku is a “massive weapon” from the bench but will be “fighting” to gazump Havertz in the pecking order.
“He’s lost a bit of form, but the quality is still there,” he told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury.
“Look, he’s probably one of the best natural centre-forwards in the world right now.
“Tuchel is just looking for something a bit different – for whatever reason.
“Havertz probably offers a more mobile option. His hold-up play isn’t quite as good, but in terms of aerial ability – it’s about even.
“Havertz can bring others into play, run in behind. There are two different types of centre-forward at the club, and Tuchel at the moment is not preferring Lukaku.
“Lukaku will have a part to play and to have him on your bench is a massive weapon. But there’s no way that he’ll be happy with that.
“He’ll be fighting to turn things around in Tuchel’s mind.”
Chelsea sit third in the Premier League.
They face a second leg against Lille in the Champions League Round of 16 on 16 March.
In other news, ex-referee predicts “out of order” star facing FA action as “crazy” League Cup final footage emerges.