Former Liverpool midfielder Graeme Souness has blasted Romelu Lukaku over his “ridiculous and damaging” remarks about his unhappiness at Chelsea.
In an explosive interview with Sky Italia carried out in mid-December but only released last week, Lukaku revealed his frustrations with life at Stamford Bridge, with Souness calling it ‘the worst thing a player could do at this stage of the season’.
The 28-year-old complained about the way he has been used by Thomas Tuchel since returning from an ankle injury, claiming he was “not happy with the situation”.
The Belgian has been dropped from the Blues squad for Sunday’s crucial Premier League clash with Liverpool, which Chelsea are desperate to win as Manchester City threaten to run away with the title.
Speaking on Sky Sports’ coverage ahead of that game, Souness said: “I can’t tell you something worse that a player could do at this moment in their season.
“We’ve played the game, you’re trying to understand how a player could get his head where it’s been to come out with such a ridiculous and damaging statement.
“I think he’s come back, he’s not gone straight back into the team, there’s enormous disappointment with that, and he’s come out with the nonsense he’s come out with, which is totally disrespectful.
“He’s 29 years old, he’s not 19. He should’ve known better that this statement damages the football club enormously.
“It’s like walking into the dressing room and saying to the other 25 guys: ‘I don’t want to be with you anymore.’
“I know what I’d be like. If you don’t fancy it here, there’s the door and on you go.”
