Chelsea coach Thomas Tuchel has sought to quell talk of striker Romelu Lukaku making a sensational return to Inter by insisting that it was not the time to consider the transfer window.
Lukaku joined the Champions League holders last summer in a €115 million deal from the Nerazzurri, but has struggled for form and was dropped for Chelsea’s 2-0 win over Lille on Tuesday.
This has prompted suggestions that the Belgium international is keen to push for a return to Inter, but as reported by FCInter1908.it, Tuchel played down the rumours and insisted that his players were focused ahead of Sunday’s League Cup Final against Liverpool.
“I have not read the newspapers. I was absolutely unaware of the reaction. Perhaps this is the best thing to do. I trust my players and their concentration,” the German coach declared.
“On the other hand, what other choice is there? There is no transfer market at the moment. Everyone is extremely involved in the targets we want to achieve together.
“The truth is that we can only reach them together, with a strong Romelu, a strong Jorginho, everyone at their best. If everyone plays at the highest level we can be a strong team and achieve our ambitions, and that’s the point.
“There’s absolutely no reason to get distracted and read these headlines, letting yourself be carried away by them. At the moment he is very calm, there is quality in the group, the injured players will return to the squad and we take care of the daily process. We ignore the things we cannot influence,” he added.
Lukaku has scored 10 goals in 28 appearances for Chelsea this season, with five coming in 17 Premier League games. The former Manchester United striker netted 30 goals across all competitions last term to fire Inter to a first Scudetto since 2010.
