Thomas Tuchel announced on Tuesday that Romelu Lukaku would play in Chelsea’s Carabao Cup semi-final versus Tottenham on Wednesday, after having the club’s record signing rest for Sunday’s Premier League draw against Liverpool. 

The Belgian said he was dissatisfied with his position at the club, and he expressed an interest in returning to Inter Milan in the future. Nonetheless, the striker has agreed not to depart Chelsea during the next 2 transfer windows following frank discussions with Thomas Tuchel.

All parties have now committed to Lukaku moving on from the interview and assisting Chelsea in reigniting their Premier League championship campaign. However, a move away from Stamford Bridge has never been mentioned, and he has no intention of leaving either this month or next summer.

Lukaku, on the other hand, now feels that he shouldn’t have made the remarks that led to his exclusion from Chelsea’s squad for Sunday’s 2-2 draw against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku has claimed that he was not compelled to return to the club after disclosing that he only opted to leave Inter Milan for the Blues after his quest for a new deal was refused.

Meanwhile, on Monday, rumors out of Italy said that Romelu Lukaku was open to reuniting with former Inter manager Antonio Conte at Spurs.

Thomas Tuchel stated that Lukaku’s statements in a previous interview concerning his position in the squad were not helpful and might have been taken entirely out of context.

What Romelu Lukaku Said During the Controversial Interview?

Lukaku mentioned inside a 29-minute interview earlier this month in Italy that he was “unhappy” with his status at Chelsea, criticized Thomas Tuchel’s system, and disclosed he rejected a 2020 transfer to Manchester City.

“Physically, I’m OK.

I’m dissatisfied with the circumstances, but that’s natural,” Lukaku explained.

“I believe the manager has chosen a new configuration, but I have to stick with it and perform professionally.”

“I am dissatisfied with the situation, but this is my work, and I cannot give up.”

Thus, after winning the Scudetto, I approached club officials and requested a new contract the following year.

I did it because I convinced myself that I was 28 years old, my family is happy in Milan, I still had my flat there, and my son and mother could come to live there, and we would all be content.

“However, they were not interested in extending my contract; the opportunity did not exist.

It was difficult for someone like me to embrace because I convinced myself that I’d be able to continue working in Milan for a few more years.”

“There are three absolute elite teams in football, in my opinion: Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Bayern Munich. Every player fantasizes about one day playing for these kinds of teams.

Therefore, I reasoned that if that opportunity ever arose, I would sign a new deal with Inter Milan and then relocate there.

However, this did not occur, and as a result, I convinced myself there is only one club in which I could potentially picture myself – Chelsea. I had no intention of going there, but they stepped in for me at one time, and I begged Inter-manager Simone Inzaghi to go.

The notion that they did not attempt to compel me to negotiate a new deal troubled me slightly, even upset me. I would’ve stayed 100 percent if Inter had offered me a new deal.

That is self-evident.”

According to Graeme Souness & Gary Neville, Romelu Lukaku Has Passed the Line

Graeme Souness believes Lukaku must apologize to his teammates following his interview in Italy, which resulted in Tuchel benching the Belgian against Liverpool.

Gary Neville, another commentator, believes an apology is unnecessary if Lukaku has spoken the truth – but the striker must work hard to rebuild the confidence of his manager and supporters in what is now “a commercial relationship, rather than a love tale.”

Despite the game’s magnitude, Souness termed Lukaku’s comments “ridiculous and destructive” and defended the German manager for ruling out the £97.5 million forward. Chelsea eventually drew 2-2 with Liverpool, which benefited only Premier League toppers Manchester City.

Romelu Lukaku Apologises to Chelsea Fans, Thomas Tuchel, His Teammates, and the Club’s Board of Directors for His Comments Last Week Concerning His Status at the Club

Romelu Lukaku believes he must “establish confidence” after apologizing to Chelsea head coach Thomas Tuchel, his teammates, and fans. “I apologize to the supporters,” Lukaku stated in an interview on the club’s website. “You know I’ve loved this club since I was a teenager, so I understand your frustration.”