PREMIER LEAGUE – “He changed the game”: Romelu Lukaku (Chelsea), saving comeback for the Blues

It had been a month since the Belgium international returned from an ankle injury. But after a very promising start to the season – three goals in as many games – Romelu Lukaku had run out of inspiration since his return to the field in November. The Covid-19 then once again removed the Blues striker from the Premier League scene. Before a healthy return this Sunday.

“We took a lot of risks”

Still, his participation in this match seemed anything but guaranteed. In the tough first half at Villa Park, however, Chelsea needed to regain success in order not to give up the title race. So, the Lukaku bet was imposed on Thomas Tuchel, who explained the coming into play at half-time of his protégé in these terms: “We took a lot of risks. 45 minutes was more than the medical staff recommended. Who knows if it’s the right thing to do.”

After several days of fever, Romelu Lukaku only needed ten minutes to heat the embers. On a perfectly placed cross in the box, the Belgian won in front of his defender and nested a uncrossed header in the small net opposite Emiliano Martinez’s goal. A header that revived the Blues, before the savior of the meeting caused a penalty in stoppage time, transformed by Jorginho.

“I needed a performance like this today”, admitted the goalscorer of the Red Devils. A performance that is in line with the matches against Aston Villa, which Lukaku strives to martyr at best: 9 goals scored in ten games against this opponent, more than against any European team in his career.

Tuchel “super worried” despite everything

“He changed the game today, rejoiced his trainer Thomas Tuchel … I’m super impressed with the guys, but I’m super worried. “Because the absences are increasing for the Blues in recent weeks. Whether it is because of Covid-19 (Lukaku, Werner, Hudson-Odoi), simply an illness (Havertz, Chilwell), or an injury (Loftus-Cheek), the list of unavailable seriously amputates the London workforce at the end of the first leg.

“We are the hunters now. The last results weren’t the best. Now we have to hunt and treat every game as a final. Today we won and we have to move forward,” assured Romelu Lukaku. Optimism will now be de rigueur among the Blues.