MY ACCOUNT
Thomas Tuchel is banking on Romelu Lukaku ending the season on a high after his double against Wolves.
The Belgian hitman has struggled for form and goals since rejoining the club for £97.5million last summer.
But Tuchel recalled him to the starting line-up for Saturday’s visit of Wolves and Lukaku responded with two goals as the hosts were denied by a last-gasp equaliser at Stamford Bridge.
Following the 2-2 draw, the Blues boss said: “If you sign for Chelsea and play on this kind of level, it’s not always easy and it’s not always enjoyable.
“It’s tough, it’s tiring, it’s draining and that’s what you need to accept and that’s what we demand from everybody.
“Every striker is a very sensitive player.
“I don’t know any other strikers who have confidence if they are on a streak where they don’t have the role they wish for — and it’s the same for Romelu.
“They are sensitive because they are decisive and that’s why it is super important [to score].”
With prospective new owner Todd Boehly watching from the stands, Chelsea broke the deadlock against Wolves in the 56th minute when Lukaku won and converted a penalty.
The Belgian, 28, followed it up with a second two minutes later and the hosts appeared set for three precious points in the battle to hold on to third place in the Premier League table.
But sub Francisco Trincao cut the arrears in the 79th minute and Wolves skipper Conor Coady levelled matters deep into stoppage time.
The result was a hammer blow for Chelsea and left captain Cezar Azpilicueta scratching his head.
He said: “It feels like a loss. To lose two points like this in the last minute is very disappointing.
“We used to be a very solid team, defending together. We didn’t make mistakes. Sometimes we have given goals away by ourselves.
“It’s very disappointing, very frustrating. We are putting ourselves in a difficult position.
“We shouldn’t be here, we were in a much better position five games ago. But we are here and now we need to get points if we want to finish in the Champions League places.”
With London rivals Arsenal just a point behind them in fourth, Chelsea head to Leeds on Wednesday knowing they cannot afford any more slip-ups.
Azpilicueta, 32, added: “Everything is decided in the last couple of weeks and hopefully we can make it happen.
“We need a last push. We have to push ourselves. We have to do it even if we are all frustrated.
“We have to pick ourselves up together because we deserve to have a good end to the season.”
After facing Leeds, Chelsea can win their third piece of silverware this season by beating Liverpool in the FA Cup final.
Having lost the Carabao Cup final to Jurgen Klopp’s men in February, the Blues will be desperate to add the trophy to their European Super Cup and Club World Cup honours on Saturday.
