Jody Morris has claimed that Tottenham Hotspur transfer target, Romelu Lukaku, has been ‘out of order’ at Chelsea and Thomas Tuchel has every right to have the ‘hump’ with the striker.
Chelsea signed Lukaku for big-money in the summer, but he has managed only eight goals in the 2021/22 Premier League season, as many question what his relationship is like with Tuchel – this, of course, stems from that now-infamous Sky Italia interview.
On Saturday, Lukaku, who has a surprise interested transfer party in Spurs and his former boss Antonio Conte, started his side’s FA Cup final defeat to Liverpool.
But he only played 85 minutes without having an impact and was replaced by Hakim Ziyech, as the third-placed Premier League side went to extra-time and another penalty shootout defeat.
It wouldn’t be a surprise if, come the summer, Lukaku is out of the Stamford Bridge exit door, as Morris shared his thoughts on the Belgian’s situation.
“I think it’s harsh to say Tuchel has man-management problems,” said Morris.
“If you look at the people he maybe would have had the hump with, if we are using Lukaku as an issue, then he was out of order.
“He should have an issue with him. He was out of order. Spoke out of turn and wasn’t playing to the best of his ability.
“Then, why wouldn’t you drop him? Why wouldn’t you have the hump with him? Why wouldn’t you tell him? I am not sure he has. Tuchel was quoted the other day saying ‘he gets on great with Lukaku’.
“I am not saying it’s 100% true, but I think it’s harsh to judge him on leaving Lukaku out of the team for a long while.”
IS LUKAKU’S RELATIONSHIP WITH TUCHEL STRAINED?
Last season, under Conte at Inter, Lukaku was flying and playing the best football of his career.
He went on to win the Serie A title and produce the best moment of his career so far.
But that is a very different story at Chelsea and under the stewardship of Tuchel, with suggestions that Tuchel ‘exploded’ at the player for his lack of pressing in the FA Cup final.
Whilst Lukkau picked up a few goals in the league of late, in truth, it has been an overall disastrous return.
It’s best if he does leave, even on loan, but a move across London and joining up with Conte once again would be quite the shock.
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