Thomas Tuchel praised Romelu Lukaku for thinking about his Chelsea teammates where other strikers would usually go solo.
Speaking to Stadium Astro, Tuchel thanked Lukaku for constantly trying to do what’s best for the group rather than for personal gain.
Of course, centre-forwards always want the goals for themselves.
That’s why they are paid the biggest bucks and demand the most attention.
Whilst Lukaku fits into this mould, his game does also revolve around bringing others into play.
Holding off or pinning defenders often opens up spaces for players to run into, or exchange passes to work a shooting opportunity.
This selfless act usually gets overlooked if Lukaku fails to score in a match, a critic that is currently clouding the Belgian right now.
Man of the people
When asked if Chelsea’s no.9 was being too generous, Tuchel gave a typically fluent answer.
He said: “These guys are all selfish. Otherwise, you cannot be a good striker if you are not selfish. That simply does not exist.
“They are hungry for goals and Romelu has that same attitude. He is a big competitor.
“It’s a pleasure to be his coach because he tried to bring Timo Werner into position against Tottenham although he had good positions to score.
“He thinks about the team. This is very rare with players on his level and his position. But he is very open-minded, very humble and a very competitive person.”
Lukaku needs to look after himself
Despite such a noble trait, Lukaku could probably do with some self-pampering until he rediscovers his scoring form.
The 28-year-old is goalless in half a dozen matches for Chelsea, his longest barren run since his final season with Manchester United in 2019.
There could be a good chance to end this sticky spell tonight in the Champions League against Malmo, though.
Although, many have predicted Lukaku will be rested for the tie after Tuchel suggested he was ‘tired mentally.’
If the former Inter Milan attacker is left on the bench today, he can instead look forward to a visit from relegation-threatened Norwich City this Saturday.
Failing that, the Carabao Cup clash with struggling Southampton is just around the corner.
The goals will return for Lukaku; it’s just be a matter of when rather than if.