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LONDON. — Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku’s struggles in front of goal this season have been down to lack of fitness and the Belgium needs to find a “spark” to reignite his football career at the London club, manager Thomas Tuchel said yesterday.
The 28-year-old has failed to make an impact since his big-money move from Inter Milan last year, netting only five times in the English Premier League amid limited game time due to injuries and Covid-19.
“All he needs is that spark. He maybe would’ve been a natural starter against Crystal Palace given the minutes Kai (Havertz) has played,” Tuchel told reporters ahead of the English Premier League home game against Arsenal tonight. “But after a period of injury he lacked the fitness for matches. I don’t point the finger at him, it’s just a fact . . . Romelu should have had a goal against Real Madrid and Crystal Palace, but if he plays we need all that he has.” Midfielder Mateo Kovacic will miss at least two weeks after injuring his ankle in the FA Cup semi-final win over Palace while Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ben Chilwell also remain absent through injury.
“Kova is out of the game, ligament injury . . . Ben will be able to join in team training with the youth team, this will be his next step and hopefully, he can join our training at the end of the season. With Callum, it’s day by day,” said Tuchel.
English Premiership Mid-week Fixtures
Today: Everton v Leicester City (8:45pm); Chelsea v Arsenal (8:45pm); Newcastle v Crystal Palace (8:45pm); Manchester City v Brighton (9pm).
Tomorrow: Burnley v Southampton (8:45pm). — AFP
Online Reporter