Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has explained that Romelu Lukaku is not yet “Premier League ready” as the striker misses out on yet another game in the starting XI.
The Blues striker is yet to start a game for Tuchel since he sustained an injury against Malmo in the Champions League.
The Belgium international did make the bench, with Kai Havertz, Mason Mount and Hakim Ziyech all starting in the attacking trident against the Hammers.
Lukaku has made nine appearances in the Premier League this season, scoring three goals in that time.
The 28-year-old made his return to Stamford Bridge in the summer, where he spent three years between 2011 and 2014 before moving on to Everton.
He has since gone on to establish himself as one of Europe’s top strikers and Tuchel made the move to land him for close to £100million to try and perfect his team for a title challenge.
Since his injury, though, Lukaku is yet to make a start, despite being fit enough to make the bench in the past few matches.
Tuchel explained why in his pre-match interview on BT Sport: “The schedule is relentless and it's such high intensity in the games.
"I know Romelu is pushing, I'm happy that he's pushing.
"He's impatient, that's his nature, but there is a difference between match ready and training ready, and there is a difference between Premier League ready.
"We need to build him up, he needs to be a bit patient which is not his nature!"
The manager was, however, boosted by the return of Jorginho and Reece James for the match, adding: "We had all three midfielders out vs Watford, normally we put the responsibility on their shoulders throughout the whole season, and if the core is not there, things get a bit more difficult.
"I am happy with Ruben [Loftus-Cheek] who steps in now for many weeks."
