Opinion: Tuchel acknowledging Chelsea striker curse but problem still there

[James 5,142]

The curse of the number nine at Chelsea Football Club is hard to ignore, even for those who are not superstitious. Personally I’ve never thought much about it, but when you strip it down it is clear that Chelsea have had a recent problem with strikers, and Thomas Tuchel has even acknowledged this today in […]

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[Jase 43,479]

Nothing Tuchel said or done has provided any sort of reassurances that he knows what he's doing attacking wise or with Lukaku. It feels like he's just gonna keep starting him and hope something comes off. 

[Fulham Broadway 16,406]

16 minutes ago, Jase said:

Nothing Tuchel said or done has provided any sort of reassurances that he knows what he's doing attacking wise or with Lukaku. It feels like he's just gonna keep starting him and hope something comes off. 

Tuchel is damned if he does damned if he doesnt

Whether it’s the system, the striker curse, Tuchel, Lukaku, the players, or a mixture of it all, the fact is that they ALL need to find a solution now because we are coming up to a hugely important part of the season.

 

[Jase 43,479]

33 minutes ago, Fulham Broadway said:

Tuchel is damned if he does damned if he doesnt

Whether it’s the system, the striker curse, Tuchel, Lukaku, the players, or a mixture of it all, the fact is that they ALL need to find a solution now because we are coming up to a hugely important part of the season.

But Lukaku is clearly an issue right now - arguably the biggest elephant in the room and Tuchel has looked no closer to solving the problem.

Tuchel has arguably tried everything possible over the last 1-2 months to make it work with Lukaku, changing the formation, the personnel etc, and nothing has worked and Lukaku hasn't shown an ounce of interest to even be bothered. He has done nothing to justify starting the last 10 games but he's clearly only starting on reputation. Other players have been benched for doing a lot more than Lukaku has. 

And having read Chelsea fans' opinion here and elsewhere, I don't think anyone is gonna criticize Tuchel one bit if he benches Lukaku but he isn't going to do that and we would likely be stuck in this cycle for the next 3-4 years. 

[Fulham Broadway 16,406]

28 minutes ago, Jase said:

And having read Chelsea fans' opinion here and elsewhere, I don't think anyone is gonna criticize Tuchel one bit if he benches Lukaku but he isn't going to do that and we would likely be stuck in this cycle for the next 3-4 years. 

He has his self preservation to consider - he will have Marina, Abramovich and the wrath of Russia on him if he doesnt give the overpriced Belgian a decent shot. Lol not a 3-4 year cycle - probably another month. However, chances are Lukaku will get the odd goal or two in the next few games, with James pinpoint crossing back, so it will be longer.

[Jase 43,479]

9 minutes ago, Fulham Broadway said:

He has his self preservation to consider - he will have Marina, Abramovich and the wrath of Russia on him if he doesnt give the overpriced Belgian a decent shot. Lol not a 3-4 year cycle - probably another month. However, chances are Lukaku will get the odd goal or two in the next few games, with James pinpoint crossing back, so it will be longer.

That's precisely why I said we would be stuck in a cycle for many years. Either Tuchel will just start him regardless of what he does OR Lukaku gets the odd goal, papers over the crack and then this whole thing just drags on with no solution in sight. 

Also, James is nowhere near being back yet and even then, he would need time to find his form. Plus, it's not as if James was regularly supplying Lukaku with crosses either before his injury. 

[Fulham Broadway 16,406]

8 minutes ago, Jase said:

That's precisely why I said we would be stuck in a cycle for many years. Either Tuchel will just start him regardless of what he does OR Lukaku gets the odd goal, papers over the crack and then this whole thing just drags on with no solution in sight. 

Also, James is nowhere near being back yet and even then, he would need time to find his form. Plus, it's not as if James was regularly supplying Lukaku with crosses either before his injury. 

Pretty certain it wont be 'years' for a start hes nearly 29. Its nothing new either From Fernando Torres, to Radamel Falcao, to Alvaro Morata, Sheva even as far back as Sutton. Many strikers with big reputations -- and some with even bigger fees -- have come to Stamford Bridge and failed to live up to their billing. But we still rein in the silverware....

MOTD analysis: Why are Chelsea not playing to Romelu Lukaku's strengths? - BBC Sport

[Magic Lamps 11,452]

Lukaku may suck and probably is mostly at fault for not playing his role better. But the question does remain. why does TT not relieve Lukaku a bit of his focal point role, let him share it with Kai and roam around his favourite space, the right channel a bit? Lukaku is quite obviuosly unable to be a focal point. We do look very static at times, so whilst lukaku is making an absolute meal out of it, heis not 100% at fault only.