Tuchel may recall Lukaku as advisers ask him to apologize

Chelsea coach Thomas Tuchel may recall Romelu Lukaku for Wednesday's game against Tottenham even though the management of the West London club is considering disciplinary action against the striker according to Daily Mail.

The club wants an apology from him and could opt for further punishment.

The Belgium striker is in hot water after giving an unauthorised interview admitting he is unhappy. Lukaku has been dropped by Thomas Tuchel and could yet face further action.

Lukaku was axed from the entire first-team squad for Sunday's 2-2 draw versus Liverpool for the interview he gave to Sky Sport Italia that first aired last Thursday, in which he said he was unhappy under Tuchel - but there was an emerging feeling on Monday night that talks between player and head coach at the training ground had gone well.

On Sunday night, Tuchel confirmed that he would speak to Lukaku and the Belgium international was among the players who trained at Chelsea's Cobham HQ on Monday ahead of his showdown summit with the Blues head coach. 

And there was a sense that those talks on Monday had been positive after Lukaku showed remorse for the interview, which should now lead to the player's reintroduction into first-team squad inclusion.

Senior members of Chelsea's hierarchy, including director Marina Granovskaia, are understood to have been involved in internal discussions regarding the controversy - an indication of how seriously the matter has been treated.

Sources within the club told Daily Mail that while Lukaku is a popular member of the squad, there are players who feel the episode should not go formally unpunished by the club.  

Also understood individuals close to the £97.5million striker urged him to show contrition during Monday's talks with a view to drawing a line under the matter that has engulfed the club in recent days and that they fear has damaged his reputation.

Lukaku himself is said to have been surprised by the level of outrage towards his interview with an Italian journalist, who he is said to have had a relationship with from his time in Serie A playing for Inter Milan.

It is understood that Lukaku never had the intention of causing such a controversy at Chelsea but instead wanted to build bridges with Inter supporters who have fallen out of love with him following his exit in the summer.

Chelsea have not commented on the outcome of Monday's meeting between Lukaku and Tuchel or the prospect of disciplining the 28-year-old - nevertheless, there is a feeling that showing regret will pave the way for all parties to move forward. 

Tuchel is set to confirm his decision over whether to recall Lukaku for Wednesday's crucial Carabao Cup semi-final against arch London rivals Tottenham, a game that marks former boss Antonio Conte's first return to Stamford Bridge since being sacked by Chelsea in the summer of 2018. 

There is confidence at the West London club that the damage caused by Lukaku's interview is not beyond repair and that the striker can fully reintegrate into Tuchel's plans.

And while Lukaku is being encouraged to hold his hands up, there are concerns from within his camp that it will take a while for this unsavoury chapter to blow over.

There remains confusion behind the scenes over who facilitated the interview, which has been described as 'suicidal' by individuals close to the situation, while there have also been assertions that Lukaku conducted the interview completely independently.

No matter how it came about, Chelsea have been angered by the episode while Lukaku is now also facing the challenge of having to win back sections of supporters who are equally as upset.