Romelu Lukaku set a new Premier League record for the fewest touches from a player who's played a full 90 minutes since statistics started being recorded by Opta; Thomas Tuchel: "It's not what we want or Romelu wants, but it's also not the time to laugh about him and make jokes about him"
Tuesday 22 February 2022 11:11, UK
Thomas Tuchel says it is "not the time to laugh" about Romelu Lukaku after the Chelsea striker only managed seven touches against Crystal Palace.
Lukaku set a new Premier League record for the fewest touches from a player who has played a full 90 minutes since statistics started being recorded by Opta in the 2003-04 season.
The Belgium international only managed seven touches in the 1-0 victory at Crystal Palace on Saturday - and one of those was from kick-off.
Asked how he can get Lukaku to touch the ball more often, Tuchel said: "What can I do? I don't know. We have to deal with it.
"The data is out there and the data speaks a certain language. He was not involved in our game, it's sometimes like this with strikers. If they struggle a bit with self-confidence, to find the space and to get involved against a good defensive side, it can be like this.
"It's not what we want or Romelu wants, but it's also not the time to laugh about him and make jokes about him. He's in the spotlight but we will protect him."
Lukaku has scored five goals in 17 Premier League appearances this season since his £97.5m move from Inter Milan last summer.
Tuchel, who is preparing his for Tuesday's visit of Lille in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie, says the 28-year-old is not the first striker to struggle at Stamford Bridge and suggests the system Chelsea play could explain that.
"There is a history of strikers struggling a little bit at Chelsea so it may not be the easiest place in the world for strikers. I don't know why it's like this," Tuchel said.
"In my opinion, Chelsea are a team considered a strong defensive team, a physical team, that has a certain attitude when in competitive football.
"We demand a lot of our strikers in terms of defending. We want to be a physical, hard-working group that wants to play a physical game and a skilful game. That maybe plays a part.
"We are on the subject and are well aware, but like always in football, it's not just one reason to sort a problem. It's a complex sport and we will try to continue to play with faith, with a team effort."
Chelsea host Lille on Tuesday with Tuchel determined to see the Blues forge on in the defence of their Champions League crown.
The clubs have met in just one European campaign previously - in 2019-20 - when Chelsea won both matches in the group stage by the same 2-1 scoreline.
Lille are the reigning Ligue 1 champions but have struggled this season after a summer of changes, which included the departure of head coach Christophe Galtier.
"They had a fantastic coach and a group of players [last season]. They were very competitive when I was in Paris," Tuchel said.
"They were a strong group, very emotional group, never easy to play in their stadium. The quality of the coach was exceptional and you could tell they had the quality to fight high up the table.
"But they lost players and the coach in the summer so there has been a huge change. When the change is so big it may take time for things to settle in.
"They lost another key player in winter with Jonathan Ikone but still we all know how physical French football is, how physical the attacking players are, how brave they are in one-on-ones, very disciplined against the ball, and they have the chance to play this game as underdogs.
"It's like always: we respect the game, respect the opponent, and prepare the team as we always do."
Sky Sports' Nick Wright on the Essential Football Podcast:
"It's interesting that Mason Mount was missing against Crystal Palace. Several weeks ago the passing data already showed Mason Mount is really the only Chelsea player who combines with him on a regular basis, and he was injured at Selhurst Park.
"That's a problem for Lukaku - the rest of the team aren't really serving him enough. He's playing up front on his own now, and that's a bit of an issue. He was brilliant at Inter playing alongside Lautaro Martinez where they formed a great partnership, but he doesn't have that presence alongside him anymore.
"He's expected to play as a target man which doesn't really suit him, he much prefers getting the ball on the turn in deeper areas and running at defenders, and he's not really getting the chance to do that.
"He's expected instead to hold the ball up, bring others into play, and he'd rather be the one running in behind. It's a tricky situation, and when you've spent £97m on a player you'd think there's a plan in place for how to use him - and it doesn't seem like that's the case."
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