Talking Tactics: Lukaku must find his shooting boots to end Chelsea’s Blues

Romelu Lukaku has not scored a goal for Chelsea in over two months. 

The £97.5million summer signing last netted for the Blues in their win over Zenit Saint Petersburg in September — and though injuries have played a part in that unwanted record, the Lukaku express has come to an abrupt halt after a blistering return to Stamford Bridge. 

Chelsea may have already qualified for the knockout stages of the Champions League, but the competition’s reigning champions will want to top Group H. 

A win at Zenit this evening will ensure they finish in pole position, and it is an ideal opportunity for the club’s record signing to get back amongst the goals. 

Can Thomas Tuchel find a way to get the Belgian bulldozer scoring?

A new system

The most productive spell of Lukaku’s career was at Inter Milan. 

The powerhouse forward scored 23 times in his debut Serie A season, before netting 24 goals the following year as Antonio Conte’s side were crowned champions. 

It was the first time in Lukaku’s career that he finished with more than 20 league goals in consecutive campaigns. 

It was the perfect storm at the San Siro. The system suited him and he was paired with the ideal foil in Lautaro Martinez.

As evidenced by the heat maps above, in Italy the Antwerp native would drift to the right flank before driving into the area on his favoured left foot. 

But in Tuchel’s 3-4-3 shape, he is having to drop into central areas and this is reducing his impact. 

Lukaku is being used as a focal point to create space for others. At the San Siro he thrived by exploiting space himself.

A cog in a machine

For the Nerazzurri, Lukaku was the star of the show — everything was geared towards getting the best out of him. 

This is not the case at Stamford Bridge, where he is a cog in a very complex machine.

Since the switch, he has averaged fewer shots and touches in the penalty area. As a result, his expected goals total has taken a significant hit. 

Injury woes

Lukaku’s return to Chelsea has been hampered by injuries. 

He missed a month of action and has been rushed back to fitness, as Tuchel explained after Saturday’s defeat to West Ham. 

He said: "It’s my fault. I don’t think he is ready for 45 minutes physically but still, we decided to bring him on for his height because we lost Kai (Havertz). 

"Kai had a crucial role in defending set pieces, which is a huge threat from West Ham, so this is on me. I took the decision so it’s my responsibility."

After cameos against Manchester United and Watford — and 45 minutes at the London Stadium — Lukaku’s fortunes should improve as he approaches peak condition.

From goalscorer to facilitator 

In Milan, Lukaku was in the team to score goals but this is not strictly the case at Chelsea.

The Blues paid big money to bring him back to West London — and the assumption was that he was identified to add the finishing touch to their attacking moves. 

But Lukaku has also been a key part of the build-up phase. He brings others into play, just as he did against Arsenal back in August prior to Reece James firing home. 

Tuchel may soon have a decision to make. 

Does he continue to use the 101-cap international as a link player, or does he tweak the system so that his star signing gets back among the goals?

Patience

Lukaku enjoyed the best spell of his career when there was continuity all around him at Inter. 

He has not yet been afforded that at Chelsea due to injuries across the team — and it might never happen with Tuchel at the helm. 

The German tactician is a tinkerer and will subtly tweak things on a regular basis. 

But something has to give. The Blues currently have one of the best forwards in the world at their disposal and they still are not quite sure what to do with him.