Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has confirmed that Romelu Lukaku will feature against Liverpool on Saturday despite still having reservations about the striker’s fitness level.
After what he did in his second Chelsea debut against Arsenal, it seems silly to doubt whether Lukaku is ready to start against Liverpool.
Chelsea did not have any midweek game as well, so the players will have a full week to prepare for their trip to Anfield.
Tuchel, who was initially hesitant to reveal his team selection, eventually confirmed that Lukaku will be on the team sheet.
“For Romelu, it’s a big challenge,” the Chelsea boss said in his press conference about his plans for Lukaku plans ahead of the Liverpool game.
“He had now one match with us, it was pretty impressive and a very good start.
“We will see [whether he starts tomorrow], but when we signed him, we knew that we get a very experienced player in terms of playing in big matches.
“He loves this kind of stage, and that’s why I expect the best what we can see from him right now.
“I’m not sure if he’s already reached top-level [fitness wise], maybe not, because he only had one game.
“So he will have a good match tomorrow because he loves to play in these matches against a strong opponent, he’s a tough competitor.”
Chronicle view
Assuming that Lukaku will be in the starting line-up, there will be two attacking spots left in Tuchel’s expected 3-4-3 formation.
Mason Mount and Kai Havertz got the nod last weekend, but some Chelsea fans on social media were desperate to see Lukaku and Timo Werner play together up front.
Werner’s pace would always be a threat to any team that plays a high defensive line, such as Liverpool, so it should be an option for Tuchel.
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