Tuchel, Lukaku Set for Showdown Talks After Belgian’s Controversial Interview

• Lukaku was a notable absentee from the draw against Liverpool on Sunday
• The striker was dropped by Tuchel following his controversial interview aired on Thursday
• Tuchel refused to guarantee Lukaku’s return, but is set to hold a meeting with the Belgian on Monday, January 3

Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel is set to hold talks with Romelu Lukaku on Monday, January 3 after the Belgian was dropped from the squad in the Blues’s 2-2 draw against Liverpool.

The meeting is set to be held in regards to Lukaku’s explosive interview with Sky Sport Italia which was aired last week.

On Sunday, Lukaku made headlines once again after it emerged that he was not on Chelsea’s matchday squad to face Liverpool, with Tuchel opting to go for Kai Havertz instead up front.

The German gaffer however confirmed that there was still hope for Lukaku to be reintegrated back into the squad.

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"He is our player, there is always a way back, we will clear this behind closed doors and once we have made a decision and Romelu knows, you will maybe know also.

"There is a meeting on Monday with Lukaku. It's not the first time something like this has happened in my career."

Lukaku’s former teammate Tim Howard, disclosed the Beligan’s take on the current situation in an alleged text message sent to him.

The alleged message from Lukaku, as shared by Howard, read:

"I can’t talk too much about it. It’s very hot. I have another meeting on Monday, then I can talk more."

Lukaku as not even at Stamford Bridge to see his side come from two goals down in the first half to claw a draw against their closest challengers in the league Liverpool.

Explosive interview

Tuchel further disclosed that he “had no other choice” than to drop Lukaku after watching the full interview with Sky Sport Italia.

Before the Liverpool game , the Chelsea boss said, “The thing got too big, too noisy, so close to the match, so I decided to protect the preparation for the match, so that is why he is out.”