Romelu Lukaku returns to Chelsea after talks with Tuchel | Chelsea

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Romelu Lukaku is in line for a return to the Chelsea squad after having fruitful talks with Thomas Tuchel about the striker’s controversial interview.

Tuchel is expected to bring Lukaku back to his side when Chelsea host Tottenham in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg on Wednesday after the £97.5m striker lamented his unhappiness with life at Stamford Bridge.

The Belgian was entirely ruled out of facing Liverpool on Sunday, but he trained with the first team before holding talks with his manager on Monday and there is a desire on all sides to move past the cycle.

Chelsea’s powerful manager Marina Granovskaya is understood to have been involved in helping Lukaku and Tuchel clear the air. Tuchel secured the support of the club and team hierarchy when he decided to part with Chelsea’s record signing against Liverpool. Sources close to Lukaku hope he will make a public apology for his comments.

Chelsea fans were furious after Lukaku questioned Tuchel’s system and said he hoped to return to Inter Milan one day in an unauthorized interview with Sky Italia last week.

The 28-year-old has no intention of leaving Stamford Bridge, but Tuchel was not impressed with his actions. Tuchel said he did not feel attacked personally, but the German is believed to be unhappy that Lukaku allowed doubts about his commitment to Chelsea ahead of a huge game against Liverpool.

Tottenham coach Antonio Conte said he hopes to play Lukaku, with whom he won the Serie A last season.

“I think it’s always good to play against a team that has all the players available,” he said. “For the people watching the match, I think it’s good to see the best players on the pitch.”

Meanwhile, Thiago Silva has allayed Chelsea’s defensive concerns after signing a one-year contract extension.

Chelsea’s Thiago Silva signs a new contract with Marina Granovskaya. Photo: Darren Walsh/Chelsea/Getty Images

Thomas Tuchel faces the prospect of having to reconfigure his defense in the summer, with Cesar Azpilicueta, Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger’s contract expiring. Chelsea had yet to agree to an extension with the trio but there was no prospect of Silva leaving the club in a free state.

Tuchel appreciates Silva’s leadership and would be delighted to have the 37-year-old out for another season. The Brazil centre-back, who has impressed since joining Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2020, helped Chelsea win the Champions League last season and hope to go to the World Cup this year.

“Playing here with Chelsea is a real pleasure,” Silva told the club’s website. “I never thought that I would play here for three years here at this wonderful club so I am very happy to stay for another season. I will continue to give everything for this club and the fans, who have always been by my side since my arrival.

“It is amazing to have this relationship with the fans and not only that but the players, the staff and the entire club. I will do everything in my power to continue playing at this level in the most important league in the world.”

Chelsea understand that Azpilicueta, Christensen and Rüdiger can now negotiate pre-contract agreements with foreign clubs. Real Madrid are leading the race to sign Rudiger, unhappy with Chelsea’s £140,000-a-week bid. The German central defender is also interested in Bayern Munich, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain.

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Tuchel recently revealed his frustration with the uncertainty about Christensen, who has changed his mind twice after agreeing on new deals. Barcelona are interested in Azpilicueta but it is understood that the captain will stay if he receives a suitable offer.

Chelsea suffers escalating injury problems ahead of the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final against Tottenham on Wednesday. Defender Trevoh Shaloba came off with a hamstring injury in the 2-2 draw with Liverpool on Sunday and is awaiting the results of a test.

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