Romelu Lukaku's bombshell interview claiming he is unhappy at Chelsea reportedly left his team-mates stunned, with no players in the dressing room prepared to back the striker following his controversial comments.
Lukaku was dropped by head coach Thomas Tuchel for the 2-2 draw with Liverpool on Sunday when his unauthorised interview with Sky Sports Italy was published three weeks after it was recorded.
In the extraordinary interview footage, Lukaku criticised Tuchel for changing his system and claimed he wanted to return to Inter Milan — just five months after his club-record £97.5million move from the Italian champions in August.
The timing and content of the interview has rocked the club, given that Lukaku had netted two key goals in his last two appearances for the club and earned praise from Tuchel.
The Chelsea boss had little choice but to omit him from the squad, saying the issue of Lukaku’s future has caused an unwanted distraction for his players before one of their biggest matches of the season.
According to The Athletic, the news arrived as a complete shock to those inside the club, including his colleagues inside the dressing room.
Furthermore, the report claims that some players feel the 28-year-old wants to secure a move away from the club in January but were left bemused by the timing.
But Lukaku’s attempts to head for the exit at Stamford Bridge may have backfired, as there is currently no support from his team-mates in his attempts to force a transfer.
A source was quoted by the publication saying: “I was speaking to one of the players and asked him if anyone was sticking up for Lukaku. He said no.
“None of them can believe he’s done it.”
Tuchel will meet Lukaku for clear-the-air talks for Monday which could decide his future at the club, although the German boss has opened the door to reconciliation with the Belgian.
"He is our player, there is always a way back,” he told Sky Sports.
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"We will clear this behind closed doors and once we have made a decision and Romelu knows, you will maybe know also. It is not to be discussed now."
The target man arrived for a second stint at Chelsea late in August, describing his return to the club as a “dream” some eight years after leaving to join Everton.
Lukaku had been sold by Inter after helping the club win their first Scudetto with 24 goals in Serie A working under ex-Blues boss Antonio Conte.
His arrival appeared to solve Chelsea’s goalscoring problems and put them on course for a title challenge after a difficult first season for Timo Werner and Kai Havertz.
But Lukaku has found life difficult during his second spell at Stamford Bridge after injuring his ankle and contracting Covid in December, causing him to miss several key matches.
He has only scored five goals in the Premier League in 14 appearances so far and a further two goals in the Champions League, and may now struggle to regain his place.
