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Chelsea has now suffered back-to-back defeats to Manchester City and Juventus, failing to score a goal in the process. That's brought quite the response from Romelu Lukaku's former boss at Inter Milan, Antonio Conte. He believes Thomas Tuchel hasn't figured out the best way to use the Belgian. Via Sky Sports Italia (from Goal):
“I think he can still do better, above all with his technique. He is already at a very high level, but a player must keep improving until the day he retires.
“During the game, there are moments when Lukaku needs to be turned on, but other than that he is one of the toughest forwards to play against, because he can do damage in any area of the pitch.
“If you have a centre-forward like that, you need to use him and I don't think Chelsea have quite figured out how to use him yet.”
Lukaku hit the ground running through his first handful of games with the Blues, scoring four goals in seven appearances. However, he's failed to net in the last two matches and missed two clear-cut opportunities to equalize against Juventus on Wednesday in the Champions League. Chelsea brought him in to hopefully fix their problems in the final third, but that hasn't been the case across the last number of days.
Conte certainly has a point, though. Lukaku thrives best down the middle and when he can run with the ball as well from the midfield. Tuchel is clearly trying to figure out what the best system is for Lukaku to really be at his best. but, Conte did say that the sky is the limit for Chelsea if they can learn how to to use the Belgium international:
“If they can figure out how to use Lukaku, then Chelsea can become the team to beat in the Champions League this season.”
Of course, Lukaku was a massive piece of Inter's title run last term under Conte. He undoubtedly made the striker a much better player, especially when it comes to playing with his back to goal. Lukaku's hold-up play and passing have immensely improved, but there are evidently still adjustments to be made at Chelsea so he can be the lethal finisher he was in Italy.
