Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has told Thomas Tuchel that it will take 'time' for Romelu Lukaku to adapt to Chelsea's system after the club record signing was dropped for the Chelsea vs Lille game.
Lukaku, 28, was the main topic of Tuchel's press conference for this round of 16 tie due to the fact that he only made seven touches in the Crystal Palace win at the weekend.
His ineffectiveness in that contest cost him his position in Tuesday night's starting eleven as the German decided to opt for Kai Havertz in the false nine position.
"I felt him a little bit tired. He looked a little exhausted and you have to consider that he’s played a lot," Tuchel explained to the Chelsea website when questioned about this specific decision.
He added: "We’ve had extra time [in the Club World Cup final], a lot of travelling recently and it wasn’t easy for him against Palace, this wasn’t his best performance.
"So maybe it will be a little bit easier for him to come on from the bench tonight and turn things around if we need him."
Many pundits a like were split on this certain decision with Glen Hoddle and Eni Aluko disagreeing but Arsenal icon and now pundit Henry, who has worked with the man in question on the international stage with Belgium, has urged Tuchel to give Lukaku 'time' in his 11-word message that he sent specifically to the Chelsea boss.
"For Rom to adapt to how they play, it takes time," Henry said on CBS Sports coverage of the Champions League when delivering his initial eleven word message.
He then added: "From the start, I questioned as a coach, how is he going to fit into this team.
"When you go and get Romelu Lukaku, you have to either give him time to adapt or change the way you play.
"Now, is it normal that he had seven touches at the weekend?
"No, it's not normal- regardless of if the coach likes you or doesn't like you- that shouldn't happen.
"It did happen and they need to move forward."
The French legend then finally concluded on the matter: "I don't think that has ever happened in 90 minutes but the solution is for him to try and adapt the way they play to his strengths.
"They like to play, press and be active and to interchange the front three.
"Rome likes to stay in the middle, so it makes it very difficult for him to settle in to this system.
"But again, why did you go and get him?"
You can follow live coverage of Chelsea vs Lille in the Champions League on football.london's live blog here.
