Thomas Tuchel has cast doubt on whether Chelsea forward Romelu Lukaku will travel for their Champions League quarter-final second leg against Real Madrid. The Belgian forward was absent from the squad for the Blues' comprehensive 6-0 win over Southampton.
Lukaku last featured against Los Blancos on Wednesday evening as a second-half substitute but went on to miss training on Thursday and Friday, having suffered from pain in his Achilles. Tuchel describes his charge as in 'too much pain' to be able to participate.
The Blues' record signing has not yet been ruled out of the clash, but the German coach is very aware of the time pressure on his striker to recover in time. The Blues fly to Madrid on Monday.
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Tuchel told following the win over Southampton: "He [Lukaku] was not in training yesterday. It was too much pain. It is not much time as we leave the country on Monday, so I will have to wait."
Lukaku is not Chelsea's only doubt for the trip to Madrid as they try to overcome a 3-1 deficit. Cesar Azpilicueta was unable to join up with his teammates on Saturday, having tested positive for Covid-19. The Spaniard first tested positive on Friday, leaving his place in the squad for the Champions League clash in serious doubt.
Tuchel said of his captain: "I have no prediction about that. I don't even know the rules about that. We need a negative test, and we can only hope and wait."
