Chelsea and Everton legend Pat Nevin is having difficulty understanding Romelu Lukaku’s grievances at Stamford Bridge as outlined by the player in an Italian TV interview.
Lukaku said in the interview that he was “not happy with the situation” at Chelsea regarding his role in the team.
The Belgian was subsequently dropped from the Blues squad for their 2-2 draw against Liverpool on Sunday.
Manager Thomas Tuchel revealed on Monday that Lukaku has apologised for his comments.
He also confirmed Lukaku would return to the matchday squad for this week’s Carabao Cup clash with Spurs.
However, Nevin has taken issue with some of the elements around Lukaku’s interview.
On Tuesday’s Football Show, Nevin wondered why it is that Chelsea felt Lukaku would be a suitable signing.
“He’s not a Tuchel-type player,” Nevin said. “If it was Tuchel that bought him, I’d be really quite shocked at that.”
“You’re not gonna play a high press with him, because that is not his style.”
“However, put the ball in the box and he’s as good as any around; he’s fantastic at that.”
“But you have to weigh the two up; do you lose the chemistry of the entire team just so you can build it around him?”
Nevin: “They won the Champions League last year - you joined them!”
Nevin also stated Lukaku only has himself to blame for moving to a club whose football is not compatible with his skillset.
“They won the Champions League last year, and you joined them!”
“You’re saying they’ve changed the system - no, they’ve not. Look at the system; it’s very, very similar.”
“Thomas might adapt it a wee bit - he might go for a 3-5-2 now and again, if they’re in trouble. Apart from that, it’s a 3-4-1-2 or a 3-4-2-1; that is it.”
Nevin went on to say he does not believe that Lukaku’s inner circle were left in the dark around the whole affair.
“[He’s an] intelligent guy, definitely a smart guy.”
“He has got layers of people - it’s not just rock, but layers - so, for everyone to say they didn’t know anything about that - come on, really?”
“It wasn’t Sky that phoned him up personally and he talked to nobody else and he walked over.”
“I’d be amazed if nobody else knew.”
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