Is it time to swap Chelsea's £97.5 million investment for their £47.5 million German? There are not many points to defend for either player, but one thing is for sure; Thomas Tuchel has a difficult job on his hands.
Romelu Lukaku has started in every single Chelsea
game since the 1st of January. The last 10
matches have placed the Belgian in the eye of the
media for scrutiny, and the verdict is not so
positive. You can blame the system, blame the
players around him or you can blame the manager
for not starting his second option.
It sounds crazy, but it’s time to unleash turbo Timo Werner and try something new. Chelsea played Crystal Palace in their first Premier League match in a month. Though the Blues stole the three points at Selhurst Park, the performance told a different story.
It sounds crazy, but it’s time to unleash turbo Timo Werner and try something new. Chelsea played Crystal Palace in their first Premier League match in a month. Though the Blues stole the three points at Selhurst Park, the performance told a different story.
It was evident that the boys
were still easing themselves back into intense
football, following their week break after the Club
World Cup final. However, there is no excuse for
the lack of attacking threat from Romelu Lukaku.
The general consensus around the Chelsea fan base is that Lukaku is not even trying. He appears to be hiding from the limelight, not being in positions where he can receive the ball. Thank goodness that the wizard Hakim Ziyech was able to bail out the Blues in a must-win match.
Normally I’d defend Lukaku and call for changes within those around him, but after registering just 7 touches in the entire 90 minutes that he played, I have no more excuses.
The general consensus around the Chelsea fan base is that Lukaku is not even trying. He appears to be hiding from the limelight, not being in positions where he can receive the ball. Thank goodness that the wizard Hakim Ziyech was able to bail out the Blues in a must-win match.
Normally I’d defend Lukaku and call for changes within those around him, but after registering just 7 touches in the entire 90 minutes that he played, I have no more excuses.
According to Opta Joe, Lukaku had just two
touches in the first half - one of those being from
kick-off. This is recorded as the fewest in a single
Premier League game for a player with 90+
minutes since this type of data became available
in 2003.
It started off as just a joke that Lukaku hides from the ball. Over the weekend, the joke looked to actually reflect reality. As a match-goer, it is clear that the Belgian wants to make runs. He often points in the direction for where he wants the ball to go but it is often met without a pass.
It started off as just a joke that Lukaku hides from the ball. Over the weekend, the joke looked to actually reflect reality. As a match-goer, it is clear that the Belgian wants to make runs. He often points in the direction for where he wants the ball to go but it is often met without a pass.
We cannot blame him solely for
the lack of touches, right? Thomas Tuchel doesn’t
put blame on the system either. When asked
about Lukaku’s performance in his post-match
conference, he said:
"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."
Werner should be allowed the same amount of time that has been given to Lukaku. The frustrations are building within the fan base, maybe it’s best to allow Lukaku to sit back and avoid the ever-growing backlash. One thing about Timo Werner is that he will give his 100%. Whether he is missing chances or whether he is caught out offside, the fans love him for being practical.
His efforts are truly missed and he has faced what Lukaku has previously. With consistent scrutiny, questions around his future, however, he would never give up.
"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."
Werner should be allowed the same amount of time that has been given to Lukaku. The frustrations are building within the fan base, maybe it’s best to allow Lukaku to sit back and avoid the ever-growing backlash. One thing about Timo Werner is that he will give his 100%. Whether he is missing chances or whether he is caught out offside, the fans love him for being practical.
His efforts are truly missed and he has faced what Lukaku has previously. With consistent scrutiny, questions around his future, however, he would never give up.
There are
many times where I’ve watched Timo Werner
request for the ball from his players and he is met
with silence. But, it was never this bad.
The difference is, Werner was able to drop, create
space, make important runs, and position himself
in spaces where it would be impossible not to
make the pass. I don’t really see that from Lukaku
nowadays.
At the start of the season, I saw glimpses and he seemed extremely promising, but the £97 million price tag has become redundant.
At the start of the season, I saw glimpses and he seemed extremely promising, but the £97 million price tag has become redundant.
A reset is needed. Ever since he was dropped for
the game against Liverpool following the famous
Sky Italia interview, he has been worked to the
bone. The answer is there for Tuchel,
unfortunately, I am not sure when he will take the
chance.
The fans want to see it happen, I want to see it happen. Just let Timo Werner play. Kai Havertz and Timo Werner were the duo that worked at the end of last season, surely we can replicate their chemistry at a time when we need them most.
The fans want to see it happen, I want to see it happen. Just let Timo Werner play. Kai Havertz and Timo Werner were the duo that worked at the end of last season, surely we can replicate their chemistry at a time when we need them most.
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