Chelsea did not had Romelu Lukaku in their lineup to play Liverpool yesterday.
The 28-year-old striker has scored in his past two Premier League appearances for Chelsea, but he was embroiled in controversy this week when an interview in which he expressed dissatisfaction with his role at Stamford Bridge was broadcast.
Thomas Tuchel, Chelsea’s head coach, has shown his annoyance with the unapproved interview, saying during his most recent news conference that he will conduct “behind closed doors talks” with Lukaku, the club’s record signing.
Ahead of the game, Tuchel said that he had “decided to protect the preparation of the match” by leaving Lukaku out, as first reported by The Athletic on Sunday morning.
“The thing got too big, the thing too noisy, so close to the match, so I decided to protect the preparation of the match, so that is why he is out,” he said.
When asked if he had discussed his decision with Lukaku, Tuchel replied: “Of course we have spoken, we have spoken twice, we have spoken to the main players, but after that we had to realise it was too close to the match, it’s too big.
“We delayed the decision over what to do, but while are delaying we have to protect the preparation for the match, we have a big game to play. Full focus, which is had to get even without this decision, was easier in my opinion if he is not in the squad, and that is why we did it.”