Tuchel expects 鈥榖ig impact鈥� from Lukaku in second chance at Chelsea

A file photo of Chelsea鈥檚 Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku in 2013. Lukaku returned to Chelsea on Thursday for a reported club record fee of $135 million from Inter Milan, 7 years after his first spell at Stamford Bridge. (AFP)
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  • Lukaku rejoined the Blues on Thursday costing a reported fee of $135 million
  • Tuchel believes the 28-year-old fulfils all the characteristics he was looking for to strengthen his forward line

LONDON: Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel expects club-record signing Romelu Lukaku to have a 鈥渉uge impact鈥� at Stamford Bridge but played down suggestions his side are now favorites to win the Premier League title.
Lukaku rejoined the Blues on Thursday costing a reported fee of 拢97 million ($135 million) from Inter Milan.
The Belgian will not be available for Saturday鈥檚 league opener against Crystal Palace, but Tuchel believes the 28-year-old fulfils all the characteristics he was looking for to strengthen his forward line.
鈥淲e鈥檙e happy to have Romelu back in the club. We think in terms of personality, speed, power, he can be hopefully an excellent choice for us,鈥� said Tuchel on Friday.
鈥淗e has the power, the physique to help us, he has the experience, the personality to have a huge impact. He is at the same time a humble guy, and a true team player and he cares about Chelsea.
鈥淲e had the feeling that it鈥檚 worth to try and fight hard and we are happy he is our player now.鈥�
Chelsea were rejuvenated once Tuchel replaced Frank Lampard in January, moving up from ninth in the table to secure a play in the top four and winning the Champions League in May by beating Premier League champions Manchester City in the final.
However, Tuchel said City and Manchester United, both of who have also spent over 拢100 million in the transfer market, should be considered favorites for the title.
鈥淲hen you come fourth, you are not the favorites in the next season, we have some gaps to close.
鈥淲e let Liverpool pass us in the last match and we have a big gap to close to Manchester United and Manchester City. When I see the transfer market and the activity from City and United, I don鈥檛 see why they should be any worse than last season. They improved their squads, they are stable and very strong teams.
鈥淚 think we are hungry and challengers for the top four first of all and then after that we will always be hungry to challenge everybody for the best possible outcome.鈥�
The headline-grabbing return of Lukaku has cast further doubt over Tammy Abraham鈥檚 future at Stamford Bridge.
Abraham has been linked with a move to a host of club with Jose Mourinho鈥檚 Roma leading the chase for the England striker.
鈥淭he next days after that we will see what happens, what is Tammy鈥檚 wish and what are the possibilities,鈥� added Tuchel. 鈥淏ut right now the focus is for Saturday and there is no news for his situation.鈥�