MY ACCOUNT
Romelu Lukaku was dropped to the bench by Thomas Tuchel for Chelsea’s Champions League last-16 meeting with Lille on Tuesday.
Belgium international Lukaku was a peripheral figure during Saturday’s 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park and was named among the substitutes for the first leg against Lille at Stamford Bridge.
He was replaced in the line-up by Cesar Azpilicueta, with Kai Havertz handed the central striking role and flanked by Hakim Ziyech and Christian Pulisic.
Lukaku paid the price for a historically quiet game display against Palace, which saw him manage just seven touches – one of which was from kick-off. It was the fewest touches by a player who featured for 90+ minutes in a single Premier League game since 2003-04, when Opta has the data available from.
Tuchel made two other changes to his team, with Marcos Alonso replacing Malang Sarr and Mateo Kovacic chosen ahead of Jorginho.
