No hard feelings between Tuchel and Lukaku ahead of League Cup final
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Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel said there were no issues between him and Romelu Lukaku after the striker was benched for their Champions League knockout tie, but he did not confirm if the Belgian would start Sunday’s League Cup final against Liverpool.
Club record signing Lukaku did not play a single minute in Chelsea’s 2-0 win over Lille in the last-16 first leg and Tuchel said the Belgium international – who has 10 goals this season – was rested since he had played many matches.
“We had a similar situation with Jorginho, one of our captains, because we feel he was a little mentally tired. The focus on Romelu I understand, but it’s a similar situation as Jorginho,” Tuchel told reporters on Friday.
“The decisions are made clear and the players accept. Once you play for Chelsea, you accept the team comes first and that’s why there are no hard feelings, not from Romelu or from me.”
Tuchel also refused to confirm whether Kepa Arrizabalaga would start in goal or whether they would stick with Edouard Mendy.
“I will take the decision late. Kepa played in the Club World Cup semi-final and brought us to the final but then we took the decision to go with Edou for the final, who was back from the Africa Cup of Nations,” Tuchel said.
