Lukaku Starts For Chelsea In FA Cup Final Against Liverpool
Zeeshan Mehtab Published May 14, 2022 | 09:36 PM
Romelu Lukaku was named in Chelsea's starting line-up for the FA Cup final against Liverpool on Saturday, just 24 hours after his agent said he wanted to talk to the club's new owners about the Belgian striker's future
London, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 14th May, 2022 ) :Romelu Lukaku was named in Chelsea's starting line-up for the FA Cup final against Liverpool on Saturday, just 24 hours after his agent said he wanted to talk to the club's new owners about the Belgian striker's future.
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel had insisted the latest controversy involving Lukaku would not be a distraction.
And, with Kai Havertz suffering from hamstring issues, Tuchel picked Lukaku as his centre forward at Wembley.
Tuchel made just one change from the midweek win at Leeds as Thiago Silva returned in defence in place of Andreas Christensen.
Quadruple chasing Liverpool, who beat Chelsea on penalties in the League Cup final in February, featured five changes from their win at Aston Villa on Tuesday.
Injured Brazilian midfielder Fabinho was replaced by Jordan Henderson, while Mohamed Salah was back in for Diogo Jota.
Curtis Jones made way for Thiago Alcantara, Andrew Robertson returned at left-back and Ibrahima Konate started instead of Joel Matip at centre-back.
- Difficult season - Lukaku has endured a difficult season following his �97 million ($118 million) move from Inter Milan.
He angered Tuchel in December when he hinted he wanted to rejoin Inter and said he was unhappy with the way he was used at Chelsea.
According to reports in Italy, the striker's agent Federico Pastorello wants to speak to Chelsea's new owner Todd Boehly about a potential move back to Serie A.
However, Lukaku responded on Friday by claiming he was not involved in pushing for talks over his future.
Lukaku had scored his first Premier League goals since December with a brace in last weekend's draw against Wolves and he netted again at Leeds.
"There was no need to change up top. Why break the rhythm?" Tuchel said of selecting Lukaku.
Mateo Kovacic was fit to start in midfield for Chelsea despite suffering a recurrence of an ankle injury that left him with a heavily swollen foot at Leeds.
"It was nice. I couldn't believe it but he trained yesterday. He wants to play. We take the risk and see if it works in the match," Tuchel said.
"You don't need to lift anyone for a cup final. We are close to the stadium, we see the arch every day. We want to win in our yellow (shirts)." - 'It's a massive one' - Liverpool are hoping to win the FA Cup for the first time since 2006, while Chelsea are in the final for a third successive season.
"Today we are here, the first time with this group and it feels amazing to be honest. I can't wait," Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp said.
"The boys lift themselves. The wins and competitions keep us going. Let's go from here, there are really important games coming up for us, especially this one today. It's a massive one.
"We have to show real desire in these moments because Chelsea are a world- class team." Beaten by Leicester and Arsenal in the previous two finals, Chelsea last won the FA Cup in 2018.
Team line-ups: Chelsea (3-4-3) Edouard Mendy; Trevoh Chalobah, Thiago Silva, Antonio Rudiger; Reece James, Mateo Kovacic, Jorginho, Marcos Alonso; Mason Mount, Romelu Lukaku, Christian Pulisic Liverpool (4-3-3) Alisson Becker; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil Van Dijk, Andrew Robertson; Jordan Henderson, Thiago Alcantara, Naby Keita; Luis Diaz, Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane Referee: Craig Pawson
Related Topics
Recent Stories
IMF Officials assure support to Pakistan’s economy
Naqvi directs foolproof measures for protection of Chinese nationals
Israel carries out attack inside Iran, report US media
Saudi Assistant Minister of Defence calls on army chief
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 19 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 19 April 2024
Rock-solid Ruud racks up season-leading win in Barcelona
At UN, Iran says it will make Israel 'regret' reprisals
G7 hears calls for 'critical' Ukraine aid
EU seeks to leverage might to confront China, US challenge
5 Customs officials martyred as their vehicle ambushed by terrorists in D I Khan
Pak-New Zealand match called off due to rain
More Stories From Sports
-
Pakistan, New Zealand teams not to train on Friday
1 hour ago -
Blind Cricket Trophy from April 20
1 hour ago -
National Women's Football C’ship postponed
1 hour ago -
Beijing half marathon runners stripped of medals after controversial finish
1 hour ago -
PSA World Tour Finals in June
2 hours ago -
2024 Davis Cup Finals Group Stage schedule confirmed
2 hours ago
-
O'Sullivan eyes eighth snooker world title amid more retirement talk
7 hours ago -
Pak-New Zealand match called off due to rain
9 hours ago -
Rock-solid Ruud racks up season-leading win in Barcelona
16 hours ago -
Pak-New Zealand match called off due to rain
16 hours ago -
Former England Test batsman Raman Subba Row dies aged 92
19 hours ago -
Rybakina beats Kudermetova to reach last eight in Stuttgart
19 hours ago