Chelsea are set to clash with Premier League title rivals Liverpool in the FA Cup final in just a matter of minutes at Wembley Stadium in London, and Blues boss Thomas Tuchel has made the bold decision to select Belgian international Romelu Lukaku to lead the line against Jürgen Klopp’s vaunted Reds.
Breaking: Romelu Lukaku starts the #EmiratesFACup Final for #Chelsea.
[via @Nathan_Gissing]
— Absolute Chelsea (@AbsoluteChelsea) May 14, 2022
With German international Timo Werner capable of coming into the team, Tuchel decided to keep faith in Lukaku after the all-time leading scorer for Belgium has hit a recent purple patch in front of goal at the right time.
Lukaku has hit three goals in his last two starts for Chelsea; a goal against Leeds in midweek and a brace in the Blues’ 2-2 draw against Wolves last weekend.
There could not have been a better moment for Lukaku to find some semblance of form in a Chelsea shirt this season after his second stint at Stamford Bridge did not turn into the homecoming that anyone intended when the Blues secured his services from Italian giants Inter Milan in the summer for ~£100million.
The RSC Anderlecht academy graduate has only found the back of the net eight times in 25-appearances for Chelsea this season and failed to turn his goalscoring exploits in Serie A into tangible results in the Premier League, leading many to assume that he could already maneuver for an exit from the club this coming summer.
But Tuchel has kept faith in the big center-forward and choosing to go with the hot hand in the biggest match of the season for Chelsea could be the right call by the Blues boss, though his decision would have been made that much easier with Kai Havertz unavailable for selection today.
Despite Lukaku having a torrid 2021-22 in Chelsea colors, all can be forgiven today if the Belgian striker can help the club secure major silverware while scuppering Liverpool’s chance at a historic quadruple.
