Chelsea forward Romelu Lukaku has badly fallen out of favour at the club and right now, it’s Kai Havertz who is playing as the first-choice centre-forward.
Lukaku was supposed to be the leading man this season but the Belgian international has scored only five goals in the Premier League so far and already there are talks about his returning to Inter Milan.
Chelsea play Brentford this weekend in the league and just a few days after this, they have a crucial tie vs Real Madrid in the Champions League. It’s pretty clear that Tuchel no longer trusts Romelu Lukaku but how the manager uses him in the next two games will give us an evident articulation of what will happen with the forward at the end of this campaign.
Chelsea: Romelu Lukaku 'still not happy at club as Inter Milan eye potential return in the summer' pic.twitter.com/BHxwelvWJ4
— The Hitman Tipster (@hitman_tipster) March 31, 2022
Situation 1: Kai starts vs Brentford while Lukaku leads the line against Madrid
Romelu Lukaku is not in the best of form but there’s no denying that his presence up front has been a problem for several teams and since Real Madrid’s defence is not the strongest, Thomas Tuchel can very well deploy this plan next week.
He can use Kai Havertz in the No 9 role against Brentford and then hand Romelu Lukaku a start in the 1st leg of their UCL tie against the Los Blancos.
Real Madrid looked really shaky against Barcelona in the recent El Classico and if Lukaku can find his rhythm then the forward can be a very big threat inside the opposition’s box as well as a wonderful link-up player.
But, what we will have to wait and see is if Thomas Tuchel is ready to gamble with a forward who has been massively poor this season.
Romelu Lukaku clearly in a good mood in training today 🤣 pic.twitter.com/SJxwEQQix5
— Si & Dan Talk Chelsea (@SiandDanTalkCFC) March 30, 2022
Situation 2: Lukaku to start up front against the Bees
Stats suggest that Romelu Lukaku fades away against the bigger but he’s ruthless vs the minnows. Since the start of February, the 28-year-old has scored only four goals and they have been against Al Hilal, Palmeiras, Luton Town and Middlesbrough.
The more likely situation will be that Tuchel protects the in-form Kai Havertz this weekend which means both Timo Werner and Lukaku get to start against the Bees.
The Chelsea manager will be hoping that the faltering pair can do the job against Brentford and then Kai Havertz along with Mount and Ziyech can dismantle Ancelotti’s Real Madrid.
Read: Chelsea’s predicted line up vs Brentford – Premier League.
Stats courtesy Fotmob.
