Thomas Tuchel has confirmed that both Timo Werner and Romelu Lukaku will be out ‘for some games’ after suffering injuries during Chelsea’s 4-0 Champions League victory over Malmo.
Lukaku was awarded a penalty after being brought down in the box by Lasse Nielsen in the 18th minute of the game, with the defender falling on his ankle.
The Belgian star attempted to play on, but was replaced by Kai Havertz. Meanwhile, Werner was taken off shortly before the break after making a late run into the box before falling over clutching his right hamstring.
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The 25-year-old made way for Callum Hudson-Odoi after having to be helped off the field by Chelsea’s medical staff.
Speaking after the game, Tuchel said: ‘We have a twist of the ankle for Romelu and muscle injury and hamstring for Timo, so they will be out for some games.’
‘We were in a good place injury wise, we only had Christian Pulisic out, but we miss everybody, we have a lot of games out, we have to find solutions so no excuses.
‘The two were in very good shape so now we have to find a solution and the guys that have waited for their chance now have to prove themselves.
‘We won games before without Timo and also with Romelu, we don’t want these problems too often, but you cannot hide from the face that these things happen during a season.’
Earlier this week, the German coach said that the Belgium international was ‘mentally tired’ after playing 64 matches for club and country over the last one year.
‘At this moment, I feel Romelu is a bit overplayed. I think he played in too many competitions over the summer, too many competitions with his country. He played the Nations League and he is a fantastic athlete and such a competitive guy that he never takes it easy,’ the German boss said.
‘He wants to be out there and win. He wanted to have a good outcome for the European Championship with Belgium and now in the Nations League it was a huge match for him, it meant a lot personally to play for his country so he takes it seriously.
‘If that does not work well he always puts it on his shoulders. He reflects about it and I feel him mentally tired.’
