https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/2022/04/15/
tuchel-chelsea-team-news-pre-crystal-palace
Tuchel on Lukaku's availability and why it is good timing for a semi-final
15 Apr 2022
Thomas Tuchel believes it is a positive his team return to action after
our dramatic European exit with a big FA Cup semi-final tie, one he hopes
to have Romelu Lukaku available for.
https://i.imgur.com/C8k8c0p.jpg
The boss addressed the media at Cobham on Good Friday to preview Sunday's
clash with Crystal Palace. Before providing injury news he discussed the
mood in the camp following the impressive victory in Madrid that was not
quite enough to see us advance in the Champions League.
'We are all a bit in between confidence wise,' said Tuchel. 'It was a
fantastic performance and it stays like this, but it still tastes bitter.
We feel we could have been one of the four teams in the semi-final. It's a
weird feeling. We had a huge task to go to Real Madrid and win with two
goals minimum.
https://i.imgur.com/KZ4Isns.jpg
'The players are also a bit in between. We haven't talked much with them.
We have some training time now which we will use to sweat it out and
digest it fully to be ready for Sunday.
'We bounced back from the two performances and results against Brentford
and the first leg, we won both games after that, and there is a big
knockout game coming at Wembley which is a good thing. There is a huge
reward coming with it, it's not a normal game in Premier League to collect
points.'
On player availability for Sunday's Wembley showdown, Tuchel reported
Lukaku had returned to the grass having missed the away wins over
Southampton and Real.
'Romelu was back in training yesterday. Let's see if he has any reaction
or not.
https://i.imgur.com/KcgK1dH.jpg
Tuchel has been without Lukaku for the past two games
'Except for Ben Chilwell and Callum Hudson-Odoi everybody seems to be
okay. We still have two more training sessions to go so fingers crossed it
stays like this.'
Tuchel was also asked if he had heard anything after the deadline for bids
for those parties interested in buying the club passed yesterday.
'To be very honest, no,' he responded. 'It's still a process and I heard
talks are still ongoing with the government. I'm still not involved which
I'm glad about because we have a lot to focus on here. That's where our
focus goes to.
'We hope things will be sorted out as soon as possible to have clarity,
but I understand it's not that easy.'