First it was the interview, and now it's the invisibility. Romelu Lukaku has mostly been a mystery since rejoining Chelsea last summer, and while the £97.5m striker hasn't done much talking off the pitch since that ill-advised chat with Sky Italia at the end of December, nothing summed up his struggles better than a record-breaking performance of anonymity against Crystal Palace last Saturday.
Lukaku was at his most labored, predictable, and estranged from his teammates. He touched the ball seven times in 90 minutes of Premier League football, the fewest for any player since Opta began keeping track in 2003, and no one could argue he was just practicing for the big moments.
Even Thomas Tuchel, who sorely needs the Belgian to recover his form, is not optimistic about the stats. Chelsea's manager recognizes their significance, but he is doubtful whether he can assist Lukaku by changing his tactical approach when the European champions face Lille in the Champions League last 16 on Tuesday night.
"Is there anything I can do?" Tuchel stated. "I'm not sure. We must deal with it. The data is available, and the data speaks a specific language. He was not a part of our game. It's not what we want or what Romelu desires, but now is not the time to laugh and make fun of him. He's in the spotlight, and we'll keep him safe."
It does not appear that the mood will improve in the foreseeable future. True, Lukaku scored two goals as Chelsea won the Club World Cup earlier this month. Yes, he should be optimistic about his chances of inflicting damage on Lille, given the French champions' poor form this season. No, it would not surprise me if it turned out to be another evening of Lukaku waiting in vain for quick balls to be slipped down the channels, his teammates ignoring his cues, and Tuchel despairing at his star signing seeming so out of place.
When Chelsea acquired Lukaku, this was not part of the plan. The 28-year-old had recently led Internazionale to the Serie A title, and it appeared he would be similarly inspirational in Chelsea's bid to rival Manchester City and Liverpool.
Even before an ankle injury derailed his progress in October, Lukaku appeared to be an uneasy fit. He is an immovable figure who makes it difficult for Chelsea to attack with ease. Tuchel appears to be betraying his convictions by molding everything around a target man, and the problem is exacerbated by Chelsea's unwillingness to play to Lukaku's strengths, often leaving him unsatisfied by opting for a controlled buildup.
