The Situation with Romelu Lukaku at Chelsea

[@TheAthleticFC]

Hey guys, thanks again for your feedback on the audio. We've fixed the audio issue for this reupload, thanks for your patience and enjoy!

[@gamergod3378]

I watched the first video and noticed nothing

[@TheAthleticFC]

@@gamergod3378 It was a weird one where it sounds alright on headphones, but speakers make it sounds like it's coming out of the back of your speaker.

[@johanjonsson2190]

Please make videos like this one available as podcasts too🙏

[@maxine2798]

Any chance of fixing the fashion? That’s more off putting

[@Tony_Flow19]

F🎉😅😅egg 😋 no yield in 😅my r 27:18 😅r

[@DanielGiuseppeDiNiro]

15:48 I think I should point out one thing, since not everyone is aware of italian laws: in Italy, the net salary is ~57% of the gross salary, but in the last 3 years most of the players and coaches who came from abroad - like Ronaldo, Lukaku, Hakimi, etc... - have benefited of a special law, "Decreto Crescita", which cuts in half the amount of taxes the club needs to pay on that contract. E.g. Lukaku net salary at Inter was €9mln and, thanks to the Decreto Crescita, the club had to pay only €4mln in taxes, instead of €8mln. Let's pretend ad absurdum that Inter offered Lukaku a new contract, but with the same net salary: since he was already working in Italy, he couldn't benefit of Decreto Crescita, and then Inter would had to pay €17mln (gross), instead of €13mln. That's why it was impossible to give him a raise

[@zPvQi]

Would it be right to assume that if he was to go back then Inter would be able to re-use 'Decreto Crescita' to give him the type of contract he was after for cheaper than if he was to be given a bigger contract while still there? If so you might also assume that this is part of why he left and almost immediately stated his intention to return.

[@DanielGiuseppeDiNiro]

@@zPvQi actually no: in order to benefit of Decreto Crescita, the worker must have been abroad for at least two years, therefore Lukaku should stay at Chelsea at least for another season

[@benedictmacfarlane-barrow3211]

Jjs voice has finally escaped the scattergram

[@kylebischoff7284]

I enjoyed this deep dive. There was a “behind the headline” section, a cultural discussion, and the tactics board made an appearance. While the news around lukaku right now is tiresome, the Tifo team took the “issues” from the story and put them in context and made it feel more relevant. Really well done.

[@Iusedtohaveasillyhandle]

Tifo and the Athletic are such quality journalism, especially compared to what most football discourse is, that it almost feels weird

[@joaquinarchivaldoguzmanloe1073]

That guy with the long hair is very knowledgeable

[@hellosaysme08]

Joe Define looks so different with long hair and a beard

[@ReckerMasta]

more of James Horncastle and Liam Twomey if you can! They were great! Both in substance and delivery.

[@Lilgreenteabag]

Thank god for the audio fix, JJ's mixing was somehow worse than Aberdeen this season

[@liamcallaghan15]

Being at the Chesterfield game against Chelsea singing “he’s inter Milan” was some top banter.

[@elienaddour8973]

I’m a Chelsea fan but let’s be real if Lukaku scores some crucial goals he will be forgiven.

[@thomasmogan9594]

Really enjoying these more longform videos, every one has been great!

[@matthenley3886]

The problem with the situation is Romelu isn’t inter it

[@TopherX4]

As a Chelsea fan I remember Drogba doing some pretty spiky interviews and comments. I’m not overreacting and if he scores fans will forget all about it

[@neemnoa303]

It was Drogba's first "big move" and instead of going to a more established elite club, he chose to go to Chelsea, which was just starting their billionaire revolution. So it was a weird time for Chelsea and for foreign players coming to the club for big fees and on huge wages (at the time). But in the last 15-20 years Chelsea has established itself as one of the top clubs in Europe, and Lukaku is already a very experienced player who has already played for big clubs and he is right in his prime. He should know better. He basically said "I'm just here for the money", even though before, he was like "It's my dream to play for Chelsea". So in the end he just comes off as a moaner and a mercenary. Not a good look.

[@hb3393]

True, but history has been very kind to drogba as he scored in so many finals. He was by no means a fan favourite for his first 4 or 5 seasons

[@TopherX4]

Neem, here’s my whole take on it and reply to your points... and sorry it’s gonna be long winded as I want to be clear…. it’s not just Chelsea that’s changed - it’s football as a whole, social media and the whole world is different. And if a billionaire revolution is a weird time for a football team/player… what’s a global pandemic for weird? My point was and still is football fans are fickle so if he scores a couple against Spurs in the cup or the winner against City next week it’ll be as good as forgotten by most. I agree with you as far as he should have known better and it isn’t a good look. But I just see it as he was trying to acknowledge Inter and their fans as a important part of his career and life and it’s backfired. lets think back to him at Utd… people were saying he was done and the time at Inter turned him back into an elite footballer. He’s human mate, not a robot. He said some things that came out wrong and it was presented in a click bait way by Sky Italia that would create huge controversy (Good job by them). But we all make mistakes in life. And besides that I’d rather somebody was honest to a fault that full of bs political answers. But maybe that’s just me. If he wants to say things about his former club and the love he had for them when he played that’s fine as far as I’m concerned. On the topic of him being a mercenary…Almost every player in the world wants the biggest deal they can to sure up their families future and that of there kids and grandkids. They’re all mercenaries to an extent. i.e. If Rudiger gets offered £300k/week at Real or PSG and only offered half that at Chelsea who could grudge him going? Despite this interview I think he’s more committed and therefore less of a mercenary to Chelsea than say Ronaldo to Man Utd or Auba to Arsenal or even Kane to Spurs. If Chelsea fans want waste energy holding a grudge over a life long Chelsea fan who plays for Chelsea saying the wrong thing, then so be it. For me, He’s apologised, he’s been disciplined and now it’s time to move on and get behind him. Chelsea could still win loads this season and he’ll be a massive part of it wether they like it or not so just move on

[@TopherX4]

H, I’m not trying to be a football hipster here but I loved Drogba from the start. I bought a Drogba-15 shirt about a month after he joined, and still have it. I watched him destroy defences when he was at Marseille and knew he’d come good. But if what you’re saying is; if he scores in a few finals and big games he’s forgiven because the good noise outweighs the bad I think that was my point…. Just that Rom hasn’t had a chance to do that yet.

[@joshbrown2217]

I think as pointed out in the other comments, it is very different from Drogba with where Chelsea was at that point and how Drogba established himself along with how Chelsea now operate. I think you're right if he continues to be an elite striker, then he will be fine. But if he does keep doing spiky interviews, then I can't see the Chelsea fans endearing to him, like you can write this one off as a one off or trying to appease both fans, but if he keeps doing it, then even if he scores tons it'll be hard to imagine the Chelsea fans will be ok with him embarassing the club. Especially when you consider the projection of Broja's career and how it seems that he could be in for that position within the next 2-5 years

[@Eire-l6i]

Horncastle on set? Flexin'

[@samwiseshanti]

I'm I'm Chelsea fan, and I really don't care about this. He seems like a fine enough guy, and he's a great player, I hope he stays but you never know these days. It's not that big a deal to me

[@EpicVideoMaster11]

Masterfully done Tifo

[@asif79490f]

excellent video! really enjoyed it!

[@willmelhuish7248]

Didn't realise zach from aunty donna was into his football

[@cameronsmith6584]

Great video guys as always. Just wanted to raise up that the camera used on Liam at the 30 minute mark keeps refocusing, it's a little nausea inducing.

[@thomraider9193]

I was one of the cool people who listened to the original broken audio version

[@vogarner]

Pulsic played really well next to Giroud. Wish we would see he and Rom playing off each other.

[@Deyna1988]

Great Video! 👍🏾

[@Shines.22]

This was brilliant.

[@Daniel-wz5qv]

Hey guys, enjoy your vids and been a fan for a few years Can you guys do a vid on Deli Ali and how things have gone and if he really has dropped off? You guys did a video on him and how he's a 'space Invader' so I'm curious to see how he 'lost' that attribute? Is he really as bad as others say? What does he do worse that he excelled at before? Is there more than the lower stats (g\a)? Tldr; i can't have an opinion on Deli Ali till the intellectuals at Tifo tell me to have one Make a vid? Please? 😆

[@welowee7610]

He’s just overated and lack of work ethic

[@Daniel-wz5qv]

@@welowee7610 aye but specifics would be nice They compared his style to Thomas Muller, where he would pop up in the right places to score goals, assist etc Curious to see how someone can 'lose' that. Thomas Muller isn't seen as a work horse yet highly rated

[@fabesey2016]

Dunno about now, but in his absolute prime Müller was absolutely relentless. Him and Mandzukic were defensively key to Bayern's treble.

[@kevinromero4151]

Great video!!!

[@tahapatel3422]

timos and roms chemistry is building and its gr8they play better with each other

[@samvangelder4201]

A bit late, but to add to the (after his world record 7 touches game) continuing debate about Lukaku: to quell any doubts if you can get Lukaku firing in an dominant possesson based attacking 3-4-3 like setup: Belgium under Martinez play quite a similar system to Chelsea and Tuchel, and Lukaku has absolutely thrived. Belgium play possesion based football, but they don't gegenpress and the defense drops a bit deeper. Lukaku has been Belgium's focal point off a front three with two inside forwards/attacking midfielders playing around him (Hazard and Mertens for years, both have now dwindled but Lukaku hasn't) and he has freedom to move wide, come deep, run at defence etc... . Belgium play attacking against minions, more balanced against big nations. Ofc Belgium haven't won an international tournamant, so Martinez isn't a tactical holy grail but he there is no reason Tuchel shouldn't be able to get him firing in a version off his own system.

[@SDCLFC1]

Looks like they would work well as a 4-4-2. It makes you see why Pep and Klopp are so dedicated to 4 at the back because 3 at the back can provide some solutions, but it can also be limiting

[@kwesiiOT]

Primo Tifo content yet again - fantastic stuff!

[@DJMavis]

I've long thought Lukaku doesn't do it when it's a big match. But tactically that feeds into what you were saying about giving him room to drive. Also, I don't know if the stats bear it out about the big game thing, but I don't recall for Everton, Belgium and I assume United that when the pressure was on, when the big game needed a world class forward, him stepping up.

[@johanjonsson2190]

Please make videos like this available as podcasts too🙏

[@TheBake1986]

His heart was in the right place, just naive for thinking you can have an interview and it not be taken out of context or blow up in your face.

[@christopherztooi]

I might have the weirdest opinion here but lukaku doesnt belong at chelsea, he limits or fluidity. With lukaku we try to force it to him too much and he doesnt move at all or press, all 11 players need to press or there is no press

[@haimainjauo242]

33:53 is Chelsea in a nutshell. Lukaku isn't the 'missing piece', the puzzle is still all over the place. This is why Lukaku's interview wasn't as "noisy" as it was made out to be

[@Carefreeblues]

It's no surprise that form dipped as soon as Chilwell was injured, the wing backs and midfield plays a far greater role in Tuchel's system than any striker. Without a real threat down the left, the balance of the attack is gone as most forward momentum will always come from Reece james down the right. Kante and Kovacic was also gone for a few games and without them the midfield is static, Jorginho is a fine reader of the game and very composed in possision however he offers zero forward drive while also being very slow out of possesion.

[@atikulislam4079]

@@Carefreeblues This is spot on, that's why i feel for Ben Chilwell alot. He was playing his best football too and now with Reece James out we desprately need to get a wingback in the transfer window.

[@haimainjauo242]

@@Carefreeblues This is all true but only because it was always form with Tuchel's Chelsea. It was never class. From the first day Tuchel took over until now, Chelsea are still nowhere near the fluid, dominating football that City and Liverpool have been playing since 2018, and even though Chelsea squad is inflated with "world-class" players, These players have been getting scrappy goals and wins in almost every single game since Tuchel came. I think Chelsea and Tuchel's CL run made everyone overrate Chelsea and the whole club and Tuchel is particular will be exposed this season if the puzzle doesn't magically put itself together in the coming months.

[@lugebeatzz8747]

@@haimainjauo242 attackers who can't complete a dribble or shoot better than the wing-backs shouldn't be called world-class, Werner, Lukaku were tailored to a counter attacking system, they choose to win the ball in their half, we don't do that here!!! If they scored individual goals for a month I'd understand but they're missing 2 times more than they score, we signed goal and assists players without proper scouting, we are that team.... Take any of our forwards and compare them to city and Liverpool even before they moved to Chelsea, look at the goals they scored, do we set up on Counter attack or space play, NO we are a positional team, if they can't do it, they can leave.... The manager stays!!!

[@davidlean1060]

Any chance these IRL videos will be added to your podcasts?

[@rossdunning7018]

Having not seen much of Lukaku at Inter I was pleased to hear he was a much more complete player after his spell in Italy. More tactically aware I heard, a change in diet had made him more mobile and the goals and assists seemed to prove this. Imagine when he "came home" and I saw the new Lukaku who appears very similar to the old Lukaku. My only conclusion is he was playing in an inferior league which makes him look better than he actually is. Which is not to say he's bad, just the same. I preferred us playing with a more mobile front three which paid dividends last season and thrashed Juve this. Also his wages are astronomical. IMO the money would be better spent increasing the wages of Mount and James who are on less than a third of Lukaku's monstrous salary.

[@Dandyphonic]

Give him time, he was not just better ar Milan but also with Belgium and during his first games at Chelsea where he was literally unplayable.

[@interovic]

Tells me more about you than about Italy. Having a manager that wants you and plays to your strengths is the key here, but keep believing he went to an "inferior" league. Tuchel is playing him in a system where they are pretending it's still Havertz up front

[@rossdunning7018]

@@Dandyphonic I have no beef with Lukaku. It was the media who spun this story about his immeasurable improvement since he left Man U. He is still the same. Same positives, same negatives. Not unplayable since his return to Chelsea at all. 1st game v Arsenal he was magnificent but allowed to bully centre half (Marie?)who hasn't been seen in an Arsenal shirt since. Rag-dolled Konsa v Villa. Had a nasty ankle injury v Malmo which kept him out along with Covid for a while. So there are mitigating circumstances for sure, but before he got injured and now he seems to me to be the same old Lukaku; limited skill with the ability to dominate inferior opposition with power and pace. Hope he proves me wrong, I really do, as I'm a Blue.

[@rossdunning7018]

@@interovic Not sure about your first line. What does that mean? I'd refer you to my reply to Ben Q. Remember it's just my view, no offence is intended.

[@r3zaful]

@@Dandyphonic Havertz is now better

[@benedictmacfarlane-barrow3211]

Well done

[@thepolticalone961]

How did you fix the audio?

[@simonhdfifa1685]

More James Horncastle , man exudes footballing knowledge

[@vecterpls]

Can anyone ask James Horncastle how he has such pretty hair ?????

[@vickirin]

+1

[@blahqwe]

could it be his parents' genes?

[@gastonzumbo9860]

i mean usually the trick is just a good haircare routine. don't wash it with conditioner every day as it can be overwhelming for your hair (do it every other day), and get good products, none of the cheap stuff (although some fairly high end shampoo+cond brands are actually damaging in the long term so it takes a bit of perusal) source: idk man everyone tells me i have great hair lol

[@Beesplitz]

Just perfect.

[@efanferdiantowibowo9610]

25:27 if you can only play on counter attack with so much space, then you're not world class player. Definitely not top 5 strikers in the world.

[@lugebeatzz8747]

I was surprised they said he is world class, and they think he is going to score in important games just from nowhere, I hope i'm wrong but I can't see it happening

[@dhruvholla9090]

This is lovely, more of this!

[@MultiDan112]

Was nice to horncastle! Miss him in on On the Continent (not saying I don’t love who does it now because I do)

[@CezrDaPleazr]

Tremendous video

[@fXInn14]

If i remember correctly when the move happened he put out a short statement saying essentially he would explain himself to Inter fans

[@bacon3703]

United Fan here and there's always been 2 problems with Lukaku: His first touch, and his ego. No matter how many goals he had, you always felt like he could have scored more because he misses so many opportunities off the first touch. As far as ego, this guy seems to create drama everywhere he goes. United sold him because he was a cancer in the club, and he might have been booted too late because his attitude seems to have outlived his tenure as a player at the club. Props to Chelsea for managing Lukaku as well as they have, but it wouldn't surprise me if he's gone next season.

[@ILikedGooglePlus]

I was here before JJ's voice

[@zhetroy]

James Horncastle reminds me so much of Bill from TLoU lol

[@jdin3987]

This man's facial hair game is elite level.

[@KenAugustino]

My fav two at the Atheletic~

[@utdmanmj]

well done guys

[@youngkxnggg2164]

Lukaku needs to pair with werner

[@thestereoclub6735]

As a yank, I came for Pulisic but stayed for Reece James- amazing talent. Tuchel recognized talent wasting away on the sideline and restored defensive discipline, but Chelsea's offense has been something of a mess since his arrival. Lot's of control, not nearly enough quality shots given the talent on the pitch. I think that's on Tuchel. Getting Romelu the ball with his face to the goal would seem to be a winning strategy, inside the box or out. If pairing him with high work rate second, by whatever name, gets him more quality touches, everyone will be happy.

[@KristianTombs]

Where is Jacque de Bones? Is he safe? Is he alright?

[@sollymadeit]

💙 Rom

[@cheangizzz]

Why did he say "I am joined by two *real* people" are people in tifo not real? Makes sense tho

[@michaellarkin6158]

James Horncastle- Tifos bill bailey

[@mieczyslawposmyk9444]

If you close your eyes Gareth Southgate is very knowledgeable about Chelsea

[@webdiver9601]

Finally

[@bomdedebop1749]

Chabuddy G looks different

[@drex5160]

Lakaka just proved that he's incompetent on and off the field🤦🏻‍♂️

[@leespear5557]

I'm here for the Horncastle turtle neck

[@jameslancefield9810]

great video. liked it. (iv deleted the like/dislike buttons out of protest)

[@calebs8451]

ngolo kante isnt good when he runs in the box?!? what are you watching...

[@gentleken7864]

Bill Bailey is a QPR fan...why is he on a Chelsea video?

[@bia8367]

Lukaku is like a Fridge. You throw him against any defenders he will break them. He wont give you a good first touch tho.

[@dhanushraghavendra6211]

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN

[@dank420bluntz]

James Horncastle is a parody right?

[@malinwa4ever315]

Lukaku is the best striker 1

[@EpicVideoMaster11]

REUPPED

[@FlashMeterRed]

Thank God tuchel was so unimpeachable

[@JPzizou]

Unless he improves his touch, dribbling and link up play he'll be dumped out for better players He plays like he is still stuck with serie a tempo. He can't hack the speed of the PL at the moment

[@interovic]

I love people that are still stuck with decades old thinking. Watch more football outside of the PL before saying dumb things. Serie A has been the highest scoring league in europe for the past few years, the "speed of the PL" is a nonsense talking point

[@JPzizou]

@@interovic because of bad defending and high lines. Why is lukaku scoring less than when he was in serie a ??? Why do the best players leave serie a ? STFU

[@interovic]

@@JPzizou ah yes the inferior league that gave liverpool allison and salah, chelsea alonso jorginho rudiger, i mean even arsenal are talking about a nobody like tomiyasu like he's sol cambel. Don't speak when you don't know and only watch one league😂 all of the players i mentioned are PL and CL winners, but according to you Italy sucks. Ramsey has been the biggest flop in juve's history, and hazard has been a turd in la liga, but please go on with your bull

[@JPzizou]

@@interovic the best players leave to go to a better league and challenge themselves? Hazard was always his dream move + working with idol zizou. Ramsey went for money?? So dumb If you can't see how the pl is a faster and high paced ledge league you know nothing about footie. When was the last time an Italian team won UCL??😂🤣🤔🤔🤫🤫🤫🤫🤫

[@interovic]

@@JPzizou what do either of those things have to do with performing in a different league? They blew and were nowhere near what they were in the PL but accordng to you guys that's impossible because your league is so amazing😂 watch other leagues boy. Somebody who only watches one league telling other people about knowing football😂😂 you prem boys are hilarious in your ignorance. Coutinho who was trash at barca is already looking like a player again 1 day in england😂

[@grid462]

Kane and Lukaku January swap deal? Eriksen feeding lukaku there? Everybody happy

[@reflectivepizza2133]

Why does everyone have a pre-conception/belief/notion that Lukaku is a 'very smart guy'?

[@SP-df1nm]

Because he is

[@TurnitMo]

What does he seem like to you ?

[@Bpc_92]

I’ve said it for years and he’s proving me right again and again. Overrated, unprofessional and a complete mercenary. He’s just a Belgian Heskey.

[@dixonmyaz89]

Finally lost my patience at seeing another Tifo video relating to a ‘top 6’ club. Guys, seeing as you’re struggling so much to generate content about other teams, here’s an idea for a video on each team in the premier league outside the conventional top 6: Wolves - Where and how do they find their managers? Brighton - what makes Graham Potter’s team so hard to beat? Leicester - sustaining success; what is preventing Leicester from achieving their top 4 ambitions? West Ham - how a once written off David Moyes changed them into top 6 contenders Crystal Palace - how can they build on a surprising and successful season Brentford - smart scouting; how do they always get it right? Aston Villa - how far can Gerrard take them and are they now stronger than they were with Grealish? (side video - should James Rodriguez be a warning to Coutinho that reputation doesn’t guarantee success) Southampton - how has their astute recruitment sustained their premier league status for so long? Everton - all the gear no idea; how Everton have everything they need to challenge the top 6 but just can’t put the puzzle together Leeds - 20/21 vs 21/22; what has second season syndrome taught Leeds? Has Bielsa taken them as far as he can? Watford - do they expect too much from their managers? Burnley - if Burnley lose their key players and should they be relegated for the first time in 6 years, how will they bounce back with their finances in completely different shape post-takeover Newcastle - (you’ve already done plenty of videos on this lot recently including a sensible transfers so no need to do any more) Norwich - does relegation/promotion suit their business model more than sustaining a premier league status? I promise you people will be more interested in these than whatever Lukaku is up to and why a Spurs player nobody cares about is playing as poorly as he always has. You would never do those videos on Richarlison not living up to a £50m price tag or why tactically Sebastian Haller didn’t work at West Ham, so stop doing it just to bring the subject matter back to top 6 clubs. It’s so boring. People who watch your videos like to have a more rounded and in-depth knowledge of football and the premier league as a whole, if they wanted to read exclusively about the big clubs they can get can just read MailOnline.

[@Hermeneutus]

The in depth cover of the smaller Prem Clubs are available in the Athletic UK ;)

[@mjmulenga3]

To be fair, they did the West Ham one.

[@dixonmyaz89]

@@Hermeneutus I was signed up to the athletic for a year and there was about one article a week for my team (prem). One journalist assigned to smaller clubs whereas the big teams have several journalists covering the bigger clubs, same story there.

[@SKa-tt9nm]

@@dixonmyaz89 they have a Norwich and an Everton video.

[@kishoreg6078]

Chelsea's not worth this much time

[@pinecone5089]

Hope Lukaku leaves in the summer. Tuchel far more important to Chelsea than a flat-track bully who can't cut it against the big boys or in anything but a counter-attacking system.