It started, or to be precise, restarted as a fairytale. It seemed like Romelu Lukaku and Chelsea are nothing less than a match made in heaven, but as the time went by – and especially after the New Year’s Eve – the things went upside down for the Belgium striker.He’s lost his place in the starting lineup, which is a tiny drop in comparison with his form, which has sunk shockingly over the season. Gunners must stop the losing run against Chelsea – their Champions League place is at stakeHowever, the Blues gaffer Thomas Tuchel is eager to resurrect once-unplayable Lukaku, calling it a ‘matter of pride’.”It is a pride for me, and it should hopefully also be the pride for him – and it is, I guess,” Tuchel told Sky Sports News.”This is how we feel. We feel things getting personal then if we don’t get it right, and I feel it with any player. If we cannot get the best out of a player for the team, it feels, personally me, I feel it, and I don’t want to have that feeling so.”You never give up on players, you never give in, and I think Romelu is such a competitor that he feels the same, and he behaves in the same way.”Lukaku offers himself to Inter: ‘If you want me back…’The German admits injuries have played a role in Lukaku’s failure to meet expectations but says he requires some fortune or momentum to galvanise his performances.”All he needs is that spark,” Tuchel said at his news conference on Tuesday. “He maybe would’ve been a natural starter against Crystal Palace given the minutes Kai (Havertz) has played.Arsenal legend to Chelsea:’ Why did you sign Lukaku’?”But after a period of injury, he lacked the fitness for matches. I don’t point the finger at him. It’s just a fact… Romelu should have had a goal against Real Madrid and Crystal Palace, but if he plays, we need all that he has, “concluded Tuchel.PREMIER LEAGUERearranged matchesTuesdayLiverpool – Man.Utd 4-0 (2-0)/Diaz 5, Salah 22, 85, Mane 68/Wednesday21:45: (2.45) Everton (3.35) Leicester (3.20)21:45: (1.99) Chelsea (3.50) Arsenal (4.40)21:45: (2.45) Newcastle (3.20) Crystal Palace (3.35)22:00: (1.25) Man.City (7.00) Brighton (14.0)Thursday21:45: (2.85) Burnley (3.25) Southampton (2.75)***odds are subject to change***
