Chelsea boss Tuchel on Christian Pulisic drama & Romelu Lukaku's future

Updated: July 21, 2022 at 11:42 pm GMT+1

The latest press conference held by Chelsea head coach Thomas Tuchel on Friday gave rise to a number of noteworthy talking points.

First up came the latest on the drama surrounding wide-man Christian Pulisic.

For those not aware, the father of United States international Pulisic caused quite a stir earlier this week, in taking to social media to hint at his son's unhappiness with his current situation in west London.

In a since-deleted Twitter post, Mark Pulisic vented:

'The sad thing is he loves this club, teammates, and London.… puts his heart and soul into being a pro. Onwards and upwards my boy...'

Chelsea v West Ham United - Premier League LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 24: Christian Pulisic celebrates after scoring during the Premier League match between Chelsea and West Ham United at Stamford Bridge on April 24, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

Speaking to the media this afternoon, it therefore came as little surprise when the subject of the post in question, and Pulisic's situation as a whole, was put to Thomas Tuchel.

The Chelsea boss, though, was keen to play the subject down, assuring that 'zero problems' exist between he and the Blues attacker:

Tuchel on Pulisic's situation: "I am not concerned if the player's father says he does not love me [on Twitter]. As ever, we have our reasons to choose our line up and at this level you will never see happy faces when not selected. Between me & Christian, we have zero problems."
— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) May 6, 2022

Next on the agenda was an update on the future of another member of the attacking ranks in the English capital.

The player in question? Romelu Lukaku.

Speculation has of course been rife when it comes to the future of hitman Lukaku of late, amid an altogether underwhelming first season back in the Premier League which has culminated in calls mounting for the Belgian to be moved on at the earliest opportunity.

Tuchel, though, has insisted that Lukaku remains 'a very important part' of Chelsea's plans for next season, pleading with the club's fans to 'support' their misfiring record signing.

Tuchel: “I want Romelu Lukaku to be important part of the squad. Right now, he is a very important part of the squad next season. There are no players about to leave because it is simply not possible”. 🔵 #CFC

“We need to support Lukaku and trust what we do”, Tuchel added. pic.twitter.com/N5ehjyCQMI
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 6, 2022

Jorginho amongst absentees

Tuchel's comments of course come with Chelsea primed to return to action on Saturday afternoon.

Fresh off an alarming defeat at the hands of relegation-battling Everton last time out, the capital giants are set to welcome Wolverhampton Wanderers to Stamford Bridge, eyeing a swift return to winning ways.

Any such efforts, though, will come with no fewer than four key members of the Blues' ranks unavailable for selection, in the form of N'Golo Kante, Jorginho, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ben Chilwell.

Tuchel says Kante, Jorginho, Hudson-Odoi and Chilwell are out vs Wolves. #CFC
— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) May 6, 2022

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Conor Laird

Die-hard Juventus fan with a love for all things Italian, and a real soft spot for Arsenal cult heroes. Emmanuel Eboue, Nicklas Bendtner, Philippe Senderos... Give them all statues outside the Emirates.