Watch: Lukaku spurns clear chance after unreal Chelsea team move
Romelu Lukaku may feel that he owes Chelsea fans a goal after recent transgressions. He spurned a glorious chance to get one in the Blues’ Carbao Cup semi-final first leg against Tottenham on Wednesday night.
Lukaku has been the name on everybody’s lips recently after controversial comments he made in an interview with Sky Italia.
Talking about his time at Inter Milan, he praised the Inter fans and said he wants to return in the near future. When asked about Chelsea, he took the opportunity to air dirty laundry in public.
Lukaku said: “Physically I am fine. But I am not happy with the situation at Chelsea. [Thomas] Tuchel has chosen to play with another system.
“I won’t give up. I will be professional. I am not happy with the situation but I am professional and I can’t give up now.”
The quotes, made in December but published in January, caused quite the stir, angering club officials, Lukaku’s team-mates, his manager and, most importantly, Chelsea fans.
Lukaku was fined and left out of the matchday squad for the Premier League game with Liverpool on January 2.
But he issued an apology on Wednesday morning and was given another opportunity to make amends in the evening, starting against Spurs – and his old boss Antonio Conte – at Stamford Bridge.
His performance was mixed. Lukaku made some positive interventions, including in the lead-up to Chelsea’s first of two goals, but there were moments at which his touch deserted him embarrassingly.
Very late in the second half, the 28-year-old also missed a fine opportunity to make it 3-0.
A stunning Chelsea team move, in which Lukaku played an important part, ended with Timo Wener playing a ball to Lukaku inside the penalty area. The Belgian had time and space to shoot, but he didn’t get any power behind his effort and Hugo Lloris collected with ease.
Had Chelsea’s No.9 scored, the tie would have been as good as over. As it is, Tuchel’s men will have to have their wits about them in the second leg and Lukaku will have to keep searching for a goal to endear himself to the Shed faithful once again.
So nearly a third for Chelsea in the final moments 😳
Sharp passing involving Kovacic and Werner led to Lukaku shooting low, left-footed but it was smothered by Lloris.
Will Spurs battle back in the second leg? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/NLBttSiYWH
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) January 5, 2022
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