Former Chelsea defender Mario Melchiot has claimed that Romelu Lukaku is ‘killing his own confidence’ after he spurned a glorious chance to end his goal drought against Crystal Palace. The Blues were already 2-0 up in Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final when the Belgian striker hit the post from six yards out, after he was set up by Timo Werner.
Lukaku hasn’t scored since the FA Cup quarter-final win over Middlesbrough on March 19 and hasn’t found the back of the net in a Premier League game since the end of December. The 28-year-old's lack of form in front of goal has seen him dropped by Thomas Tuchel in recent weeks in favour of Kai Havertz.
Expectations were high when Chelsea spent a club-record £97.5 million on Lukaku last summer, with many feeling his signing would be the catalyst for a serious assault on the title. However, with just 12 goals in 37 appearances this season the former Inter Milan striker is yet to have the desired impact in west London.
