Thomas Tuchel has raised concerns about Romelu Lukaku’s fitness, claiming he is physically and mentally tired.
Tuchel believes the £97.5million striker, who has not scored for Chelsea in his past six appearances, is feeling the strain after a heavy summer at the Euros.
“In the very moment I feel Romelu a bit overplayed,” said the German ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League tie with Malmo. “I think he played too many competitions over the summer, too many competitions with the national team. And now he has played the Nations League.
“He is a fantastic athlete and such a competitive guy that he digs in deep, he wants to win these things and he never takes it easy and judges games.
“I feel him a bit mentally tired. Not hugely that we have concern, but for me he does not fully enjoy without having second or third thoughts, for me he is overplayed and this is the key point.
“Once he finds his rhythm and things a bit easier he will be fine but it is hard to judge if he really needs a break or if we need to keep him on the pitch.”
Lukaku made a flying start to his Chelsea career, scoring four goals in as many games following his move from Inter Milan in the summer.
But he has failed to maintain that form, with ex-Chelsea manager Antonio Conte claiming Tuchel does not know how to best deploy him.
Tuchel believes Mason Mount and Jorginho are also victims of being overplayed, adding: “They have a lot of weight to carry for the countries, they take it and they love it, they are competitors.
“If you play 1000 matches a year it can feel heavy although they love the game. This is what I feel.”
Tuchel revealed Christian Pulisic is still struggling to overcome an ankle injury picked up on international duty in September.
The winger has not played for Chelsea since the opening game of the season.
Tuchel said: “There is nothing to worry about in terms of details and that we are hiding details. I cannot give you all of the details because I am not a doctor, but in the moment he has had some setbacks from pain.
“Not from a major injury or complications. It is simply the pain in the ankle that disturbs him. Once these players with quick movements like Christian, once they feel this pain and they are not free in the movement the recovery is not happening.
“You start all over again, and you start all over again, and you reach a certain point and the pain comes back. And you have to do a little pause and start all over again.
“So right now we are very, very close. He was so close to come to team training last week and had a little setback and reaction, by pain. Nothing serious. From there on we go.
“He is very impatient, of course, and he does everything and we can see him suffer in every meeting and every time we meet him here [at the training ground] he is really suffering and he wants to be on the pitch and help us. Everybody is doing his very best. Unfortunately the injury takes its time.”