Watch: Romelu Lukaku responds after being dropped by Chelsea

The fall-out from Romelu Lukaku’s explosive interview continues after Thomas Tuchel dropped the striker from Sunday’s squad to face Liverpool – and Lukaku has already responded to his manager’s decision.

In an interview with an Italian media outlet, the Chelsea striker claimed he was ‘not happy’ with his current situation at the club, pointing the finger at Tuchel’s ‘system’ as well as claiming he would have preferred to remain at Inter before his £97.5million summer move.

Chelsea have taken the decision to discipline Lukaku, with the Belgium international left out of the matchday squad for the crucial match against Liverpool.

Speaking ahead of the match, Sky Sports pundit Graeme Souness condemned Lukaku’s actions.

“I cant tell you something worse a player could do at this moment in a season,” he said.

“To come out and basically say ‘I don’t want to be here anymore, I don’t want to play with these players anymore’ and question the manager.”

And NBC Sports have claimed Lukaku has texted Tim Howard with his reaction to being dropped.

The two played together and Everton and NBC Sports presenter Rebecca Lowe passed on Howards, saying: “Tim Howard has been texting with Romelu Lukaku.

“Lukaku says he can’t talk too much about it, it’s very hot, but there’s another meeting – Lukaku told Tim – on Monday. He says he has another meeting on Monday and he can talk more after that.”

🚨Romelu Lukaku to @TimHowardGK:

“I can’t say too much. The situation is hot. I have another meeting on Monday. After that, I can say more”

Tim Howard has been texting with Lukaku according to @NBCSportsSoccer pic.twitter.com/jkktTiZuSD

— Evan (@evmilho) January 2, 2022

More Chelsea

Where are they now? The Chelsea XI from Romelu Lukaku’s full debut, 2011

Can you name every player to score a PL hat-trick for Chelsea?