Romelu Lukaku faces a growingly uncertain future at Chelsea amid speculation regarding his future. Thomas Tuchel is waiting for the Blues to make a final decision on the 28-year-old's future ahead of the summer transfer window, according to the Times.
The Belgium international has struggled to acclimatise to life back in the Premier League since swapping the San Siro for Stamford Bridge in the summer. Lukaku, who cost the west Londoners a club record fee £97.5 million, guided Inter Milan to their first Scudetto in nine year prior to his Chelsea switch.
He managed to find the back of the net on 64 different occasions under Antonio Conte, playing 95 games along the way, though he found the net just 12 times in 39 appearances for the Blues this season. The Times outlined that sources close to Chelsea have labeled Lukaku's situation a 'nightmare' for the incoming owners, with the Belgian 'concerned about his future' and 'expected to hold talks' with the club.
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The report adds Lukaku's future at Stamford Bridge could depend on the outcome of pre-season, with Tuchel keen to ensure that the striker must be 'fully engaged' with his philosophies. The Blues boss pledged his faith in the Belgian, but insisted that he must take responsibility for igniting his form.
"All he needs is that spark. He maybe would've been a natural starter against Crystal Palace given the minutes Kai [Havertz] has played," Tuchel told reporters ahead of Chelsea's clash against Arsenal.
"But after a period of injury he lacked the fitness for matches. I don't point the finger at him, it's just a fact. Romelu should have had a goal against Real Madrid and Crystal Palace, but if he plays we need all that he has."
Lukaku's future is not the only thing at the top of Tuchel's agenda ahead of the upcoming transfer window. The Times claim that the Blues boss is keen to add two new defenders this summer following the departure of Antonio Rudiger.
Andreas Christensen also sees his contract with Chelsea expire at the end of the season and, as it stands, is set to leave on a free. With two of Tuchel's leading figures set to leave, the west Londoners are left with diminishing options at the back.
