Graeme Souness says that Romelu Lukaku will have to apologise for his comments in an interview that was released midweek if he wants to return to first-team action.
The striker made a Stamford Bridge comeback in the summer from Inter Milan, but in an interview with Sky Italia that was conducted weeks ago but recently released, the forward discussed being unhappy with the situation on his return.
The Belgian claimed he was being played in a different system to that which was discussed ahead of his move, as well as stating he will return to Inter in the future.
All the quotes caused quite a stir, with Blues boss Thomas Tuchel claiming the comments were unhelpful and created "noise" when the club didn’t need it.
The 28-year-old was then completely dropped from the squad for the clash with Liverpool on Sunday.
Tuchel explained the reason he was left out, saying: “The thing got too big, too noisy so close to the match so I decided to protect the preparation of the match and that’s why he’s out.”
The Blues went on to draw the game, with Mateo Kovacic and Christian Pulisic cancelling out Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah’s strikes.
It leaves Chelsea in second, one point against Liverpool but the Reds have a game in hand.
Manchester City have managed to extend their lead at the top over the weekend to ten points from Tuchel’s men.
Speaking after the game, former Blues striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink discussed Lukaku's return and said: "I think there has to be a way back because he is an asset of the club now they have spent money.
"I don’t see somebody now giving you that same money back so it’s an investment and you need to find a way back with Lukaku but he has to understand that these are the terms.
"Yes, you have come in as the main striker - you have to show it.
"You have to be inline with others that are part of the team. It’s as simple as that."
However, former Liverpool player and manager Souness believes more should be done before he comes back in, saying: "And [then] some! To everyone who was in the stadium today. Firstly to his manager and his teammates, to everyone else at Chelsea Football Club and all the supporters.
"He’s got to hold his hands up. He’s lit a fire that only he can put out. The solution has to come from him, he can’t be expected to welcome back into the fold if he’s unrepentant.
"He’s got to find a way of saying, 'sorry, I got it wrong.'"
Tuchel later confirmed there will be meetings with the striker over what the future holds and how they can move on from the situation, with the Blues in need of their key players for a tough January period.
