UCL: Why Lukaku didn’t play vs Lille

Chelsea manager and Germany international Thomas Tuchel has revealed why Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku was left on the bench during their UCL game vs French side Lille on Tuesday night.

Lukaku didn’t make it Chelsea’s first eleven for the game, and many believed this because of his struggles to touch the ball during the  Blues weekend 1-0 win over Crystal Palace, where he made only seven touches throughout.

During the game vs Lille, Tuchel, however, dropped Lukaku and played with an attacking trio of Hakim Ziyech, Kai Havertz and Christian Pulisic.

“I felt him a little bit tired,” Tuchel told reporters when asked about Lukaku’s absence.

“He looked a bit exhausted and you have to consider that he’s played a lot.

“We’ve had extra time [in the Club World Cup final], a lot of travelling recently and it wasn’t easy for him against Palace, this wasn’t his best performance.

“So maybe it will be a bit easier for him to come on from the bench tonight and turn things around if we need him,” he said.

Chelsea won Lille in a 2-0 scoreline thanks to effort from Kai Havertz and Christian Pulisic.