Chelsea fans ‘will take up Romelu Lukaku’s case’ if he doesn’t play, Thomas Tuchel says record signing must start against Tottenham and cannot be left cold like Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang at Arsenal

Romelu Lukaku needs to speak on the pitch to regain the confidence of Chelsea fans, said Gabriel Agbonhalor.

The Belgian, who joined Inter for a club record of £ 97.5million over the summer, addressed Blues fans personally on Tuesday and said he was “sorry for the upheaval “he had caused following the explosive remarks published after Christmas.

The 28-year-old fell into hot water with Chelsea after telling Sky Sport Italy of his dissatisfaction with the club and his frustration under Thomas Tuchel.

He was later omitted from Sunday’s 2-2 draw against Liverpool in the Premier League, but is now in contention to make the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg on Wednesday against Tottenham at Stamford Bridge – live on talkSPORT – after s ” be reconciled with the manager.

Speaking of his apologies, Agbonhalor warned that it may take time for Chelsea fans to warm up again with Lukaku and insisted the only way the striker can regain his confidence is to do what he does. the best: to score goals.

“I think when it costs that much money you have to bring it back,” the former Premier League star told talkSPORT Breakfast when asked if Lukaku could come back for Chelsea against Tottenham.

“You see with [Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick] Aubamayang, he is a little older, maybe there is no value to sell with him.

“They can’t do that with Lukaku no matter if the manager wants to. You have £ 100million in assets there, you can’t keep it under 23.

“He has to find a way to get it back. He apologized to Chelsea TV and it’s time to move on.

“But Chelsea fans might find it a lot harder to forgive than we do and if he doesn’t fight Spurs they will start to deal with his case.

“We know what the fans look like.”

The Aston Villa legend went on to suggest he knew the feeling of being a player frustrated by the lack of minutes, admitting he struggled to suppress his emotions when he was a player.

“When I look at him I look at a striker who has been very frustrated,” added the former Villa captain.

“The interview came after the Manchester United game where he got eight minutes.

“It’s his old club and he’s going to have wanted to play against them, so he would have been furious and would have done his interview when he was angry.

“We’ve all been angry as players, sometimes you’re a little too honest when you are and that’s what happened.

“And then he scored two goals in two games and he was probably thinking, ‘I hope this interview doesn’t come out.’

“It’s too late but Thomas Tuchel left it aside. Bring it on, start it.

“You paid almost £ 100million for a player, he’s going to want to be the main man, not come off the bench.

“He’s going to want to be the top scorer and win things so I think it’s frustration and when you do interviews when you’re frustrated you can be a little too honest and that’s what Lukaku did. . “