Thomas Tuchel has highlighted one negative of Romelu Lukaku’s game in the Chelsea defeat to Manchester City today.
Chelsea’s small hopes of a title bid may have all-but ended at the weekend after losing 1-0 away to runaway leaders Man City in the Premier League.
Kevin De Bruyne’s strike from outside the box was the only goal of the game at the Etihad Stadium, as they completed a league double over Chelsea.
Unfortunately, the Blues couldn’t create enough going forward.
Lukaku, 28, had the away side’s best goalscoring chance. The striker’s left-footed effort in the second period was saved at a point blank range from goalkeeper Ederson, though.
Tuchel admitted after the contest that Chelsea forward Lukaku could’ve done better in trying to hold the play during the game, and felt the entire attack couldn’t sustain moves.
“Sometimes he needs to do the service. I think he’s included,” Tuchel told BT Sport in his post-match interview.
“He had many ball losses without any pressure, many ball losses in very promising circumstances. He had a huge chance – so he’s included in this.
“Of course we want to serve him but he’s part of the team and the performance up front, especially in the first half, we can do much, much better.”
Chelsea attack disappoints
Yes, the Blues backline sat off a bit too much for De Bruyne’s goal. However, they defended fairly well overall considering they were under pressure for large spells of the 90 minutes.
There just wasn’t enough in the final third of the pitch for the visitors to shift any pressure back on to Man City.
Hakim Ziyech and Christian Pulisic were anonymous for big parts before being substituted off, while Lukaku struggled being the focal point the team needed.
It would’ve been a completely different outlook had Lukaku took his golden opportunity, though.
His return of eight goals in 22 appearances this season is underwhelming for someone that cost £97.5million in the summer.
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