Lukaku returns to Chelsea squad for EFL Cup semifinal

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has revealed that Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku will return to the Blues squad ahead of Wednesday’s EFL Cup semifinal clash against Tottenham after a weekend where he granted a controversial interview where he revealed his displeasure at his situation at Stamford bridge.

The German manager reacted swiftly by dropping the former Inter Milan striker ahead of the weekend’s 2-2 draw at home to Liverpool in the Premier League.

“He apologized and is back in the squad for today’s training, We have given it time to look back on. For me, the most important thing was to understand – and clearly understand – it was not intentional. He did not do this intentionally to create this kind of noise in front of a big game.” Tuchel said.

Lukaku, who has been struggling with injuries and a poor run of form lately, is still seen as a big part of the Chelsea team, stating that the team has good reasons to convince him to play for the Blues as he is still a player for the team. The former Everton and Manchester United forward has seven goals in 18 appearances since returning to Chelsea from Inter Milan in the summer, where he won the Italian Serie A.

Meanwhile, Thomas Tuchel compared Brazilian defender Thiago Silva to Benjamin Button after the 37-year-old defender signed a contract extension till 2023 on Monday. Silva joined Chelsea from French side Paris St Germain in the summer of 2020 in a free transfer.

He has since gone on to win the Uefa Champions League after featuring in the final of the game against Manchester City last summer as Tuchel praised his approach to his fitness.

Chelsea will face Spurs on Wednesday in the Carabao Cup before playing Chesterfield in the Fa Cup at the weekend.

Written by: Daniel Ademiju Idowu