Romelu Lukaku’s text messages to former teammate ‘leaked’ with striker set for showdown talks with Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel on Monday after being dropped for Liverpool game

Thomas Tuchel insists Romelu Lukaku will ‘remain our player’ after being eliminated from the Chelsea squad, but the Belgian forward is ready for head-to-head talks on Monday.

Blues coach Tuchel celebrated a ‘huge’ Blues comeback when Mateo Kovacic and Christian Pulisic scored to claim a 2-2 Premier League draw with Liverpool at Stamford Bridge, all without club record signing Lukaku. .

The £ 98 million man was recalled for Sunday’s clash after an interview aired Thursday, which was taped three weeks ago, in which Lukaku revealed his unhappiness over his Chelsea situation.

Lukaku has scored two goals in two games since the interview took place and also insisted that he had settled things with manager Tuchel, but the German manager and the Chelsea hierarchy did not see the comments and the timing.

The talks are scheduled for Monday, but US broadcaster NBC claims Lukaku has sought the advice of former teammate Tim Howard before the meeting.

“I can’t say too much,” Lukaku supposedly said. “The situation is hot. I have another meeting on Monday. After that, I can say more. “

Despite the alarming situation surrounding the club’s record signing, Blues manager Tuchel admitted that his future was not up for debate.

“He is our player, he will continue to be our player,” Tuchel said.

“We will always protect our players and when we make decisions like this, we first have to assess the situation, not listen to the media, but understand what they said and why they said it.

“If the decision is that it is good for Wednesday for the Tottenham game, this is the decision.

“But I can’t tell you right now because we need to talk and understand the situation better.

“There is no doubt that he will continue to be our player, and we have to protect our players.”