EPL: Tuchel reacts as Lukaku struggles against Crystal Palace

Chelsea returned to action in Premier League on Saturday night as they faced Crystal Palace.

One of the highlights from the match was Romelu Lukaku struggling against the Seagulls.

The Belgium striker had two touches of the ball in the first half and only managed another five in the second half.

In a post-match statement, Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel reacted to Lukaku’s performance as he stressed that it had nothing to do with the formation.

The match saw Tuchel use a different formation against Crystal Palace as he abandoned his usual back three to play a 4-1-4-1.

Asked whether the new formation was responsible for Lukaku only having seven touches, Tuchel shrugged his shoulders and replied bluntly: “No. No, it’s not about the system,” he told beIN Sports.

“Well, it is what it is. But it is for him no change of system because it’s the same attacking structure.

“We always attack in a 4-1, it’s just for the build-up sometimes we build-up in a 3-2 and sometimes in a 4-1. For him, it changed nothing.”

Asked a similar question during his post-match press conference, the German added, “I’m not so sure if I have a good answer for your question, I don’t know.

“Obviously he was not involved and could not make a point today. I’m not sure if it says so much about us in general.”

Chelsea were able to pick three points from the match thanks to a lone goal from Hakim Ziyech.