Romelu Lukaku reveals Thomas Tuchel’s expectations for Chelsea’s role after ‘clear’ talks

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Quarantine rules meant the former Everton and Manchester United striker was unable to make his Chelsea debut on Saturday, as the Champions League and UEFA Cup aside holders beat Crystal Palace 3-0 in the 2021/22 Premier League opener.

Having initially joined Chelsea from Anderlecht as a teenager, he made just 15 appearances for a top team during his first spell at the club and was loaned to both West Bromwich Albion and Everton before joining the latter on a permanent transfer in 2014.

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Lukaku, 28, has gained a lot of experience since that original exit, playing for Manchester United and launching Inter Milan in his first Serie A title for 11 years, and he also became the top scorer in Belgium’s history in 2017.

In total, Lukaku has scored 259 goals in 519 appearances for top clubs as well as capped 98 caps and it appears his experience will be just as important to Chelsea this time around as his exploits in front of goal.

“The conversation was really clear from him, that he wants me to be a presence and a captain in the team,” Lukaku said when asked in his first interview with Chelsea’s official website if he had spoken to manager Tuchel about his individual role in the team going forward.

“My role will depend on the game plan and what the president wants me to do. If he wants me to be a focal point or if he wants me to attack spaces in the back, I can do that. The two years in Italy helped me master all aspects of the game for the striker and I am ready now.

“I like the system we play and I’m very flexible. I can play with two or on my own and I’m used to the system because it’s what we play with the Belgian national team so I don’t need a lot of time to adapt.

“It’s just knowing my teammates’ strengths in important positions and knowing what we do off the ball, then I can do the rest.”

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