Thomas
Tuchel has hailed the impact Romelu Lukaku has had in the dressing room
since his return to Chelsea and says he could even captain the club in the
future.
Lukaku returned to Chelsea from Inter Milan last month in a club-record
£97.5m deal and has hit the ground running, scoring four goals in his first
four games.
However, it is what he is doing off the pitch that has impressed Tuchel, who
told Sky Sports in an exclusive interview: "He's a very democratic
communicator - he treats everybody with the same respect, the same attitude.
"He is a highest-level competitor - he loves training, he has a smile on his
face, he wants to win every single competition. This is good. He leads by
example."
Chelsea's current captain is Cesar Azpilicueta - who has entered the final
year of his contract - and when asked whether Lukaku is a potential
successor, Tuchel said: "Yes, I think he could be. He has a lot of things
you need to be a captain.
"But we have fantastic captains so no need to think about this now. He
behaves like one and this is more important than to actually have the
captain's band."
Lukaku's regular presence as Chelsea's No 9 represents a change from their
previous approach under Tuchel, who often played the smaller Timo Werner
through the middle or used Kai Havertz as a false nine.
The head coach led the Blues to Champions League glory with that approach,
but says he is adapting to get the best from Lukaku and praised the way in
which the striker has already gelled with his new team-mates.
"I learn stuff off of him," said Tuchel. "How he feels the game, where he
wants to score, how he wants to assist, how he feels confident to hold the
opponents off. So you adapt to your player.
"I'm very happy to see him so humble and so involved in the communication
with everybody. We had a strong bond in the team last season - which was key
to success - and we rely on the bond and atmosphere again.
"Romelu is a big part of that and a fantastic guy."
'It's a dangerous time to play Spurs'
Spurs go into the game with doubts over the fitness of a number of players -
including forwards Heung-Min Son, Steven Bergwijn and Lucas Moura - but
Tuchel insists it could be a dangerous time for Chelsea to face their London
rivals.
Thomas Tuchel has heaped praise on Tottenham forward Harry Kane and believes
he is one of the best players in the world
He said: "It [the injuries] can also sometimes be a good platform to build a
really strong mentality.
"We have all been in these places where you go, 'oh no, not another injury',
and then comes a tough match - a London derby - and you put yourself maybe
in this underdog role. You take the energy from the stadium and fight.
"They will go for the win - I believe nothing else. They will try everything
and the spectators will help them, because sometimes it creates this kind of
atmosphere. The spectators will know they miss some players and need extra
support.
"We have to be well prepared to implement our style and for a tough match.
It's full of emotion, it's full of energy - it's a nice one."
How can Tottenham stop Lukaku?
By Ron Walker
Romelu Lukaku has announced his return to Chelsea with four goals in as many
games. How can Tottenham stop the Blues' 'main man' adding another this
weekend?
Lukaku was labelled the 'complete striker' by Sky Sports' Graeme Souness
following his double in a 3-0 win over Aston Villa last Saturday, and has
hit the ground running on his Premier League return after netting 47 Serie A
goals across the last two seasons with Inter Milan.
He's looked the missing piece of the puzzle for Thomas Tuchel's Champions
League winners, who scored only 25 times in the German's 19 league games in
charge last season, and owed their improved results almost entirely to a
shored-up backline which conceded just 15 goals in that time while keeping
11 clean sheets.
Lukaku's arrival has provided a whole new headache for opposition managers.
The 28-year-old is a nightmare in the box, is already exceeding his expected
goals target and has won more duels than almost anyone else in his first
three matches back - all while being one of Chelsea's best creators, too.
Tuchel himself has admitted the Blues had "missed" someone of his quality.
"He is goals," said Souness. "You've got someone who can get you goals out
of nothing. I think he's near enough the complete striker - he's very good
at everything."
Arsenal's Pablo Mari was taken to the cleaners when trying to go toe-to-toe
with Lukaku on his debut, but he is just as ready to punish defenders who
give him space, as he showed with his fabulous touch and finish for
Chelsea's third against Villa.
Tottenham boss Nuno Espirito Santo has already got the better of one tough
opposition in Manchester City this season - and now how does he go about
keeping the big Belgian at bay when they go head to head on Sky Sports
Premier League in #GameZero this weekend?
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