Thomas Tuchel has admitted Romelu Lukaku’s public outburst is a major concern, with the Chelsea boss set to exclude the striker against Liverpool.
The Blues smashed their transfer record to sign the Belgian from Inter Milan last summer, but it hasn’t gone perfectly to plan.
Lukaku missed more than a month with a sprain, before testing positive for Covid-19 in December, forcing him to miss another two matches.
He did score in back-to-back Premier League matches to end 2021, but looks set to not be involved vs Liverpool on Sunday.
In an interview which was conducted back in December, Lukaku made several revelations, including an admission he had differences of opinion with Tuchel.
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"Physically I'm doing great. I'm just not very happy with the situation, but that's normal," Lukaku told Sky Sport Italia. "I think the boss has decided to play a different formation but I have to stick at it and get on with it professionally.
"I'm not happy with the situation but it's my job and I mustn't give up."
He also suggested that he would not have left Inter, had the Italians made him a new contract offer, while he also expected bids from elsewhere.
He added: "Last summer I didn't think about going to Chelsea until they really came with an offer. Simone Inzaghi [Inter manager] behaved very well with me."
The Athletic report that Tuchel is willing to go without the unhappy striker, despite needing a win to keep in touch with league leaders Manchester City.
And he told Sky Sports that while his words don’t reflect his attitude, it is still a big worry: "To speak out these things as a big player, a big signing and a key player for us, who behaves on a daily basis like he is absolutely happy, is a concern and a big deal for us.
“We have to speak to him and he has to speak to us.”
Chelsea and Liverpool go into the game at Stamford Bridge knowing their title hopes are becoming increasingly faint in light of City’s relentless form.
Pep Guardiola’s side have won 11 in a row in the league to lead the chasing pack by as many points.
Chelsea meanwhile are in the midst of their worst run of form under Tuchel, dropping nine points in December alone.
But the German believes his side are close to getting back on track and a win over Liverpool would represent a major step in the right direction.
"We are that close, just a win against maybe Liverpool in a key moment that brings us back.
“It’s just the momentum we have to overcome - this obstacle we have to overcome - and then things will get better.
“This will be the case with a full squad, or almost full squad.”
