Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel said it was “not the time to laugh about” Romelu Lukaku after the £97.5m striker’s recent struggles.
Lukaku only touched the ball seven times in Saturday’s 1-0 win over Crystal Palacethe lowest by any player in 90 minutes of Premier League appearances since at least 2003, when that data was first recorded.
“He’s in the spotlight and we’ll protect him. Romelu will always be part of the solution,” Tuchel said.
“Sometimes this happens with strikers if they struggle a bit with confidence and find space to enter with a good defence.
“Of course that’s not what we want and what Romelu wants but it’s also not the time to laugh about him and make jokes about him.”
Chris Sutton, who scored one goal in 28 games for Chelsea between 1999-2000, told BBC Radio 5 Live’s Monday Night Club: “I think at the weekend he was hiding.
“He lacks confidence – he looks like an unhappy player. He can do so much more for the team.”
Former Norwich, Blackburn and Celtic striker Sutton added: “I hid myself in games.
“Your confidence fades and you start hiding. You tell yourself you’re not hiding but you’re you – that’s what he said succinctly.
“He doesn’t want to have the ball. It’s lack of confidence, it’s hesitation, it’s doubt.
“It’s fine [pundits] blame other players but he is talking. He is not clear in his movements.
“I can’t see them [Lukaku and Tuchel] both are there next season. Something has to be given away. ”
Belgian striker Lukaku, 28, has only scored five Premier League goals in 17 appearances since a rematch with Champions League hosts Chelsea this summer, scoring five more in all competitions other.
He is yet to score a goal in the tournament in 2022 since being dropped in a match after an interview that seems critical of the club, even though he scored twice in the recent Fifa Club World Cup, including in the final win over Palmeiras.
Other well-earned strikers struggling to score at Chelsea compared to their strike rate elsewhere include Andriy Shevchenko, Fernando Torres and Lukaku’s current team-mate Timo Werner.
“There is a history of strikers struggling at Chelsea so it may not be the easiest place in the world for strikers,” said Tuchel.
“From my point of view, Chelsea is a team that is seen as a solid defensive team, a physical team, with a certain attitude when it comes to football. We ask a lot of our strikers in that aspect. defense.”
Tuchel was speaking ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League round of 16 first leg match against Lille.
Analysis of the match of the day
The in-game squad of Alan Shearer, Gary Lineker and Ian Wright – all former England strikers – agreed that Lukaku’s teammates should take the blame for his lack of impact.
Former Newcastle striker Shearer said: “Definitely not understanding what he wants, what he needs.
“He has to ask for it and make sure his teammates are prepared to pass the ball. It’s a bit of both. [on who’s to blame]. He has to demand it but it doesn’t help if you pay too much if you don’t play with the power of a striker. “
Former Barcelona striker Lineker said: “When I’m playing, if I’m not being served, I’ll hit them. You’ll make it difficult for them. You’ll scream and scream at them to give the ball to them. Friend. “
Former Arsenal player Wright said: “They couldn’t do that in training because they didn’t figure out when the ball should be in the area for him. How can you pay that much without not knowing when the ball should be in the area for him? play to his forte. ?”
