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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Nizaar Kinsella

Mauricio Pochettino admits Romelu Lukaku may still have future at Chelsea - but it won’t be his decision

Mauricio Pochettino has told his Chelsea bosses and Romelu Lukaku to come to an agreement before he can return to the first-team fold.

The 30-year-old is yet to speak to new manager Pochettino and is currently training with the Under-21s as Chelsea look to sell him before transfer deadline day on September 1.

Juventus are Lukaku’s main suitors with the Saudi Arabian transfer window offering a possibility for the striker to move after Europe’s deadline day.

Ahead of Luton’s visit in the Premier League, Pochettino said: “If the player and clubs wish is to find a solution; it’s not me, it’s them.

“In that case, the player and the club will meet and inform to me that things have changed. I’m not going to move until the club or the player want to talk with me. I am here, I accept the situation that was here when I arrived.

“The club and the player, both try to find a solution. The future can change things. Life can change. I saw [Jurgen] Klopp say I’m not going to be in this business when we should pay £100million, and then they offered £100million and he said, ‘Oh, I made a mistake’.

“That is the same situation. In football, the dynamic is fast and changes and we need to move on. Today, nothing has changed. If something changes we will adapt to the situation.”

Pochettino also confirmed Chelsea are working out the profile of forward they want to sign as New England Revolution goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic closes in on a £14million move.

Chelsea will soon breach the £400m mark to create a £1billion squad as they face newly-promoted league minnows Luton on Friday night at Stamford Bridge.

Pochettino explained why Romeo Lavia still isn’t ready to play for the club as Moises Caicedo prepares for what will likely be his first start. He added: “Moises is ready to start, Lavia is not.

“After [the fitness coaches] assessed him, he needs a few weeks to be ready to be involved with the team. He is reconditioning now and working to try to catch the team and his teammates.

“For Romeo, we need to wait a few weeks until he is involved with the team.”

Mykhailo Mudryk has also suffered a “minor” injury in training this week to join a nine-strong abstenee list which includes star men Reece James and Christopher Nkunku.

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