Thomas Tuchel is convinced Romelu Lukaku can harness his “unique” goalscoring abilities and transform Chelsea as an attacking force.
Lukaku is likely to take part in Sunday’s Premier League trip to Arsenal, following his £97.5 million ($134.7m) move from Inter Milan.
And Blues coach Tuchel is excited about the 28-year-old’s second Chelsea debut, backing the Belgium striker to impose his personality on the Premier League.
“I think he’s unique; from his physicality, from his ability to play with the back to goal. But for me he’s at his strongest when he’s in the half-open, open position even for transition gain, to use his immense speed," said Tuchel.
“So I think with this kind of physical power and at the same time being so fast, and being so hungry, and a true goalscorer in his characteristics, I think it’s also for me a unique and new experience to have this.
“Is Romelu the missing piece? Well we hope so, but at the same time we try to find solutions for any questions that are asked during games.
“And we want to still be a strong squad and a squad that comes from a team effort.
“And Romelu is that kind of personality and profile that we were missing up front. And from now it’s our job to push that to the limit.
“The week was a heavy load for him because he was in the group with the late starters from our guys. But we are hoping he’s on the pitch for Sunday and things look like that will happen.
“He’s a very nice guy, which is very nice to see for us. Everybody told us about it and everybody was right.
“We are a good group and it’s very important for us to be a good group, a respectful group and a very democratic group where everyone is involved and shares the responsibility. This is a great situation for us so let’s hope it stays so positive.”
Lukaku scored 24 goals in driving Inter to the Serie A title last season, benefiting from coach Antonio Conte ensuring he was in top physical condition.
Belgium’s all-time top scorer has taken the No 9 shirt on his Stamford Bridge return, with Tuchel admitting goals are his main commodity.
“Of course we should expect goals, let’s not talk around it and he himself expects goals; this is why he’s here,” said Tuchel.
“But I’m absolutely convinced he will have very positive impacts on Timo Werner, Kai Havertz and Christian Pulisic, and will maybe open spaces and attract the focus from the defenders.
“So let’s see how we will measure it in the end. But we demand and he demands goals from him.
Chelsea v Crystal Palace player ratings
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CHELSEA RATINGS: Edouard Mendy: 7 - Had little to do as Chelsea dominated possession. Good distribution and comfortable when called upon. -
Trevoh Chalobah: 9 - Chelsea’s surprise Premier League debutant picked up where he left off on Wednesday with another complete performance. Tidy in possession and capped off an excellent afternoon with a fine strike just before the hour. -
Andreas Christensen: 7 - Consistently looking up and playing cross-field passes, which more often than not found their man. Will have tougher tests this season but a nice start from the Danish international. -
Antonio Rudiger: 8 - Defended well and contained Wilfried Zaha, including making a brilliant defensive block as the Ivorian went through on goal. Strong, athletic performance and one that many in West London have become accustomed to. -
Cesar Azpilicueta: 7 - Linked up nicely with Mason Mount to create Chelsea’s second goal and was a threat down Chelsea’s right until his substitution. Had little defending to do but as reliable as ever when called upon. -
Jorginho: 6 - Winner of the European Championship kept things ticking over for Chelsea in midfield, constantly making himself available and moving the ball forward. There will be sterner midfield tests as the season progresses but a confident start for the Italian. -
Mateo Kovacic: 7 - A bright spark in Chelsea’s midfield, constantly winning the ball back and looking forward. His influence waned as the game went on but remained a steady presence. Intelligent passing from a player who has a big season ahead if he is to cement himself in the heart of the side. -
Marcos Alonso: 8 - Scorer of Chelsea’s opening goal and provided a constant threat with his movement and crosses down the left-hand side. Providing manager Thomas Tuchel with a real defensive headache after his performance today and against Villareal. -
Christian Pulisic: 6 - Scored Chelsea’s second and provided a constant threat down the Palace right. Won free-kicks in dangerous positions and now has a real chance to establish himself now provided he stays injury-free. -
Mason Mount: 7 - England’s European Championship finalist started slowly but grew in confidence as the game went on. Much of Chelsea’s positive forward play came through him and his performance again reiterates why this young talent is rated so highly. -
Timo Werner: 6 - Again his movement was exceptional and found dangerous positions in the final third, only for his finishing to let him down. This is an important season for the German forward following the arrival of record signing Romelu Lukaku from Inter Milan. -
SUBS: Reece James - 6. Continued to keep the Palace forwards quiet after he replaced the Chelsea captain with a quarter of the game to go. Tried to get forward when possible. -
Emerson: N/A – Came on for the superb Alonso in the dying minutes. -
Kai Havertz: N/A - Replaced goalscorer Christan Pulisic with 10 minutes to go and played a nice pass to set Timo Werner away as Chelsea looked for a fourth. -
CRYSTAL PALACE RATINGS: Vicente Guaita: 5 - Could do little to prevent Alonso’s free kick but should have done better following Mount’s cross for Chelsea’s second and couldn’t get enough on Chalobah’s strike. Made a couple of decent saves in what was a busy afternoon for the Spanish shot-stopper. -
Joel Ward: 5 – The Palace full back – entering his tenth season for the club – struggled to contain Alonso and was often left in 2v1 situations. Had little opportunity to get forward in what was a tough afternoon for the veteran full back. -
Marc Guehi: 6 – Palace’s summer signing from today’s opponents defended admirably enough and tried to step out of the Eagles’ backline and forward possession. A few wayward passes but an exciting prospect as the season progresses. -
Cheikhou Kouyate: 4 – Struggled with the pace of Werner. -
Tyrick Mitchell: 5 – A tough afternoon for the young left back, who struggled to deal with the forward link-up of Mount, Azpilicueta and Werner. Gave away possession too easily. -
Jairo Riedewald: 5 – Overrun in midfield and found it hard to contain the trio of Mount, Kovacic and Jorginho. Tried to break-up play and provide a solid foundation for Palace to build. -
James McArthur: 4 – Often found himself on the periphery and struggled to gain a foothold in the game. Gave away possession on too many occasions as Palace found it difficult to break through Chelsea’s high press. A tough opening day assignment. -
Jeffrey Schlupp: 4 - Wasteful in possession and constantly on the back foot against a fluid Chelsea frontline. Replaced by Tim Anderson just after half-time as Patrick Viera tried to halt the Blues’ dominance. -
Jordan Ayew: 5 – Stationed on the right-hand side of the Palace midfield but did little to assist his full back Joel Ward. Had a header saved late on in one of the few positive Crystal Palace moves. -
Jean-Philippe Mateta: 3 – An isolated figure leading the Palace line and had little service from a deep midfield. Replaced just before the hour after struggling to get any change from Christensen and Rudiger. -
Wilfried Zaha: 6 – Had Palace’s best chance of the game but was denied by a last-ditch block by Antonio Rudiger. A few bright moments in what was otherwise a disappointing opening to the season. -
SUBS: Christian Benteke: 5 – Brought on to keep the ball higher up the pitch for Palace but struggled against Chelsea’s back three. Struggled against Chelsea’s physicality at the back. -
Joachim Anderson: 5 – The summer signing from Lyon was brought on after half-time to provide some stability to the struggling back four. Will be an important player for the Eagles going forward. -
Jesurun Rak-Sakyi: 5 – Came on with 15 minutes to play and could have little influence with the outcome of the game already decided.
“I’m getting to know him better and better and we will maybe set a clear target later in the season.”
Chelsea will head to Arsenal lifted by last weekend’s 3-0 home thrashing of Crystal Palace, and with standout performer Trevoh Chalobah keen to extend his fine form.
Tuchel confirmed the academy graduate defender will not be sent out on loan, instead having a major chance to stake his claim for a first-team future.
Chalobah impressed in the Super Cup win over Villarreal, then backed that up with a long-range strike against Palace.
“I think he had a fantastic pre-season with us, he’s a very good player and even more important a top character,” said Tuchel.
“He has both feet on the ground, he took his chance very impressively, he played very good matches in pre-season, he performed for 120 minutes against Villareal and then another strong 90 minutes against Crystal Palace.
“So now I think it’s very logical that he stays with us, and he’s looking for his chance here.
“We let some players go but Trevoh is a guy we absolutely want to keep, and this is the status for him.
“We had a talk yesterday, and I think his situation was he went out on loans, he had the loans he needed to develop, but now is a good moment to stay with us and be part of the group.
“And to take further steps towards fulfilling his dream which is to be part of a strong Chelsea squad, which he is at the moment.
“We trust him, this is not a gift, this is what he deserves.”
Arsenal could welcome back captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang for Sunday’s London derby.
Aubameyang missed the 2-0 loss at Brentford after returning a positive Covid-19 test, as did fellow striker Alexandre Lacazette, goalkeeper Alex Runarsson and winger Willian.
Willian could also return while Lacazette and Runarsson are still missing, as are defender Gabriel Magalhaes (knee), striker Eddie Nketiah and midfielder Thomas Partey (both ankle), while new signing Martin Odegaard is not available as he awaits a visa.
