THIERRY HENRY has questioned Chelsea’s decision to bring flop striker Romelu Lukaku back to the club as they don’t fit well together.
The goal-shy Belgian attacker returned to Chelsea from Inter Milan last summer for a club-record transfer fee of £97million after leaving Stamford Bridge initially in 2014.
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But the 28-year-old’s second spell with the Blues hasn’t gone to plan and he’s only managed to score a paltry sum of 10 goals in 28 games across all competitions this season.
Lukaku’s plight worsened last week when he only managed to get a dismal SEVEN touches on the ball in Chelsea’s Premier League game against Crystal Palace – setting an unwanted record in the division.
He also risked the wrath of the Blues’ fans after admitting that he plans to return to Inter soon which led to Tuchel axing the attacker.
And reflecting on the stuttering striker’s poor goal return this term, Henry expressed his bewilderment over the Blues’ decision to sign him in the first place.
The Belgium No.2 feels that Lukaku and Chelsea have contrasting styles which has resulted in his dreadful form.
Speaking during Chelsea’s emphatic 2-0 win in the Champions League last 16 first leg against Lille – that Lukaku was dropped for – Henry said on CBS: “Right from the start I raised a question to myself, would he fit into this team?
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“For Rom to adapt to the way Chelsea play, it takes time, it’s not an easy one.
“Is it normal that he only has seven touches [against Crystal Palace]? No, that’s also not normal, regardless if the coach likes you or not. That shouldn’t happen.”
And former Arsenal hotshot Henry can’t see Lukaku’s situation improving at Stamford Bridge unless he changes the way he plays to fit in with Blues boss Thomas Tuchel’s style.
A perplexed Henry added: “They need to move forward on that but it’s a tough one to read. I’ll be honest with you, I don’t know how that happens in 90 minutes. But what’s the solution?
“The solution is for him to find a solution to make sure he can adapt to the way they play.
“They like to press, to be active and to change the front three. He likes to stay in the middle so it makes it very difficult for him to adapt to the situation.
“But again, why did you go and get him?”
Henry’s scathing criticism will surely sting Lukuka who revealed that working with Henry in Belgium’s national setup in 2017 was the best thing that had ever happened to him.
However, the bumbling Belgian will have the chance to resurrect his declining Chelsea career after Tuchel revealed earlier this week that he still has faith in the forward’s abilities amid his startling drop in form.