Fresh, and altogether significant context has been provided on Thursday evening, when it comes to the controversial comments made by Chelsea star Romelu Lukaku regarding his situation at the club.
‘Not happy’
The name of Belgian hitman Lukaku has of course taken its place front and centre in the English media headlines on Thursday evening.
This comes on the back of something of a bombshell set of quotes being unveiled, highlighting the 28-year-old’s apparent unhappiness with his situation in west London.
Lukaku has endured something of a hit-and-miss spell back in the English capital since linking up with Chelsea for the 2nd time in his career this summer, thus far managing a solid if unspectacular seven goals across all competitions.
LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 22: Romelu Lukaku of Chelsea celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Emirates Stadium on August 22, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Mark Leech/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
The last week, though, had seen the ex-Inter Milan standout appear to finally begin finding his feet once more, on his way to goals versus both Aston Villa and Brighton.
In turn, it came as nothing short of a shock when, this evening, a series of quotes, attributed to Lukaku during an interview with Sky Sport in Italy, unveiled his deep disappointment with developments under Thomas Tuchel at Stamford Bridge:
Romelu Lukaku to @SkySport: “Physically I am fine. But I’m NOT happy with the situation at Chelsea. Tuchel has chosen to play with another system – I won’t give up, I’ll be professional. I am not happy with the situation but I am professional – and I can’t give up now”. ? #CFC pic.twitter.com/KGNoJ10cwp
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 30, 2021
Lukaku latest
The Chelsea faithful, altogether understandably, have since been quick to voice their disappointment with Lukaku’s words, just months on from the Belgian confirming his delight at securing a return to west London.
But, as alluded to above, if the latest update to have come to the fore late on Thursday night is anything to go by, then at least some are likely set to backtrack on their initial condemnation of the Belgian.
As confirmed by the reliable Matt Law of the Daily Telegraph, despite only surfacing today, Lukaku’s comments surrounding his situation at Chelsea were actually made ‘around 3 weeks ago’.
They have therefore not come fresh off the back of two goals in two for the striker.
Instead, the comments are understood to have been made with Lukaku in the final stages of recovery from a spell on the sidelines, and frustrated with boss Tuchel’s play it safe approach to his comeback.
Told the Lukaku interview took place around 3 weeks ago. That does not make what he said irrelevant but it does place important context on his frustration then v probably not so much frustration now #cfc
— Matt Law (@Matt_Law_DT) December 30, 2021
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