Tuchel says Lukaku could return for next Sunday’s meeting with Manchester United; Chelsea boss provides update on contract talks with Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger; Tuchel says he has no plans to bring an early end to Conor Gallagher’s season-long loan at Crystal Palace
Romelu Lukaku will not feature in Chelsea’s Premier League trip to Leicester on Saturday but is “very close” to returning from injury, according to head coach Thomas Tuchel.
Saturday will mark a full month since the striker injured his ankle during a Champions League game against Malmo, in what was his 11th appearance of the season after re-joining Chelsea in a club-record £97.5m deal over the summer.
Tuchel said Lukaku could return for Tuesday’s Champions League clash with Juventus or next weekend’s Premier League meeting with Manchester United, which is live on Sky Sports.
“Romelu is very close to team training, so hopefully he will join the squad on Sunday – let’s see how this works out,” Tuchel said on Friday.
“He’s pushing hard and trying hard to come back as soon as possible and we will try on Sunday.
“If everything works out perfectly, if he is in training on Sunday and then on Monday he can maybe join the group on the bench( against Juventus).
Lolo Ijeoma Njoku Obinwannem News Writer / Nov 20, 2021

