Tuchel says Lukaku still crucial in his team

Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku have not had it easy at Stamford Bridge as he struggles for game time at the club as his performance continues to dip.

Lukaku is expected to start against Arsenal this night as he has good record playing against them but the Belgian striker’s effort in the last few games for Chelsea could see him lose an opportunity to start.

However, Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has said that Lukaku remains integral to his Chelsea plans.

‘We are not there anymore,’ Tuchel said of the forward’s early-season form.

‘He doesn’t have the influence that he had then because it was a very promising start.

‘There have been turbulences since then throughout this long period of time but we are trying everything and he has our support to reach this kind of level again. It’s in him and in us. I think he is still at the right place but there are things to improve from all of us so we will not give up.

‘For us it’s clear that we can play with Romelu and we can be very strong with Romelu. We proved it, he proved it and he will prove it if he stays involved mentally and he stays involved in the situation. He can grow from it and come out stronger, it’s always like this.

‘For sure it’s disappointing for him and not what we or what he expected at the moment but it’s not finished and we will not give in. We never give in with any players and he never gives in. We will push him as far as we can and as long as the player stays involved in the mentality that is needed to bring a team forward, he can still be a crucial player.’