Western Daily Press (Saturday)
Lukaku not creating a distraction, says Tuchel
THOMAS Tuchel has insisted that Romelu Lukaku’s agent seeking talks with Chelsea’s new owners will not prove an FA Cup final distraction.
Lukaku’s agent Federico Pastorello told Italian press he will aim for talks with Chelsea’s prospective new owner Todd Boehly, once the US magnate’s takeover is complete.
Lukaku has appeared unsettled at Chelsea ever since admitting in a Sky Italia interview in December that he was unhappy at Stamford Bridge.
The Belgium striker apologised for those comments and has fought to rebuild his position at Chelsea ever since, and is now the Blues’ top goalscorer with 15 strikes in all competitions.
He has fired three goals in his last two Chelsea outings, but will be battling to start today’s FA Cup final against Liverpool at Wembley.
Tuchel remained calm about the wider situation though, ahead of the Liverpool battle.
“If he plans to talk with the owner maybe it’s not his plan to talk with me, so fair enough,” said Tuchel.
“Let’s see if he gets a meeting and he can get to talk, that’s his right.
“We will talk to anybody, to any party and we will evaluate any situation of any player, including Romelu’s. And then we will see what happens and what pans out.
“I just was aware of it five, ten minutes ago actually. That’s what it is sometimes in football, the attention is so high that sometimes it attracts situations that you don’t want to have before big matches. But that’s the way it is.
“For me it’s not a distraction and hopefully for everybody who works for the team, and the player himself.”
Tuchel’s striker selection decision appears likely to come down to a straight choice between Lukaku and Germany forward Kai Havertz for the central role.
Asked if the two could both start however, Tuchel replied: “I can also play both although they lack a bit of a feeling of a perfect fit together.
“So its’ very likely that it’s one of the two, but we will not give the lineup today. But listen, Romelu played lately and scored lately and did everything to stay on the pitch. So it will be our final call.”
Forest Green Rovers midfielder Ebou Adams has joined Sky Bet Championship club Cardiff City.
The 26-year-old becomes the Bluebirds’ first new signing of the summer, agreeing a three-year deal.
Adams was one of the driving forces behind Forest Green’s title triumph this season. Blackpool were also keen to do a deal, among several second-tier clubs, but the Gambia international has chosen the Welsh capital as his next move.