Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has admitted Romelu Lukaku is 'mentally tired' ahead of Sunday's Carabao Cup final against Liverpool.
The Belgian striker was an unused substitute in Tuesday night's Champions League clash with Lille, but he wasn't involved in the warm-down after their 2-0 win over the Ligue 1 side.
Tuchel already has fitness concerns after both Mateo Kovacic and Hakim Ziyech were forced off with problems in the second half.
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When asked why the forward wasn't involved in the warm-downs, Tuchel replied: "I don't know. The fitness guys take care of that.
"Every game is different. The focus today was on intensity, a high speed game, hard work against the ball.
"Romelu is not only physically tired but mentally tired. Since the Liverpool game, he has started every match for us and played some extra time. It is like this.
"Today we went for three other players and Kai was in very good shape and brought high intensity to the team.
"For Sunday, we have four days to decide and recover. [Today] it wasn't the moment to put him in the fire, it was a moment to take a step back."
Tuchel continued: "It was not the moment after the match where everybody was focused on his touches. It wasn't the moment to put him in the fire, it was a moment to take a step back.
"There were nine other players who didn't play and we shouldn't forget we consider this a team sport and the guys who play commit fully to their teammates and the guys on the bench do the same."
