Rom’s just had a Lille setback
AZPILICUETA BACKS BENCHED STAR
CESAR AZPILICUETA has backed Romelu Lukaku to come good given time.
And that time could be as soon as Sunday’s Carabao Cup final against Liverpool at Wembley.
The £97.5million striker cut a frustrated figure as he sat throughout the 90 minutes of Chelsea’s comfortable 2-0 Champions League last-16 first-leg win against Lille.
He was then notable by his absence from the extensive warm-down routine which the other unused Chelsea substitutes were put through after the final whistle.
Head coach Thomas Tuchel explained his decision on the selection as being down to Lukaku’s “mental tiredness” after he had managed just seven touches against Crystal Palace last Saturday.
He said: “He looked a little exhausted and you have to consider that he’s played a lot.” But Azpilicueta suspects it could be an attempt to have him back firing on all cylinders by 4.30pm on Sunday.
The Chelsea captain said: “The manager makes his decision, the best for every game so, against Lille, Romelu didn’t play.
“But I know that now preparing for the final every player will have a chance and we have to show that we deserve to be there and then the manager will make the best decision for the team.”
It has been a stop-start beginning to Lukaku’s return to Chelsea, but Azpilicueta feels some of the highlights are being forgotten too quickly and too conveniently.
The Spain defender said: “He’s having a tough period, but we cannot forget also he scored in the Club World Cup, in the semi-final and the final, so you know he can do it at a high level.
“Us players go through tough moments but we cannot forget also that he played a big role in that ClubWorld Cup.”
More consistency would appear to be the key and, as with so many players over the years, Azpilicueta is certain that Lukaku has a part to play on the biggest stages more often than not. “Of course, Romelu is the first one who wants to give more for the team,” he said.
“Every player has their problems when you can be at your best or not, but I have no doubt that Romelu is a very important player.
“He will be the first one who will want to show his qualities – I don’t doubt he will be a key player for us. Romelu will show his ability straight away, of course.”
However, Thierry Henry, who has been working with Lukaku as Belgium’s assistant manager, believes that Tuchel is handling things wrongly.
Former striker Henry told CBS Sports: “For Rom to adapt to how they play, it takes time. From the start, I questioned as a coach, how is he going to fit into this team?
“When you go and get Romelu Lukaku, you have to either give him time to adapt or change the way you play.”