Lukaku ‘a bit tired and exhausted’ – Tuchel

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Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku

Thomas Tuchel said he left Romelu Lukaku out of the Chelsea side to face Lille because he felt the striker is tired.

Lukaku touched the ball only seven times during Saturday’s Premier League game against Crystal Palace.

And he was dropped to the bench for the Champions League clash at Stamford Bridge, where Kai Havertz is leading the attack.


Tuchel told BT Sport: “I felt he was a bit tired and exhausted.

“He has played a lot; extra-times, travelling, and it was not the best performance (against Palace) so maybe it is easier to come off the bench and turn things around if needed.”

Cesar Azpilicueta returned to the starting line-up after missing the Palace game with a minor injury.

Mason Mount is back in the squad after an ankle injury and was named on the bench.

Chelsea: Mendy, Christensen, Silva, Rudiger, Azpilicueta, Kante, Kovacic, Alonso, Pulisic, Ziyech, Havertz.
Subs: Kepa, Bettinelli, Jorginho, Lukaku, Werner, Loftus-Cheek, Chalobah, Saul, Mount, Kenedy, Sarr, Vale.