Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel insists he never drove out Romelu Lukaku.
The striker has returned on-loan to Inter Milan after a disappointing year in London.
“There was never a meeting where I said ‘I want this guy out’,” said Tuchel.
“Never. I was always clear – if he stays we will do everything to put him in a better place, to put him in better shape, to improve my style of coaching, our style of playing, to make him a better fit.
“Romelu made it very clear he wanted to leave and the owners took the decision to make the decision straight away.”
Is he disappointed in how it played out?
“Disappointed is the wrong word,” he responds. “I don’t know a better word in English. It feels like I take it personally – it’s never personal. I am not happy that we couldn’t bring more out of him.
“Maybe it would have just taken a bit more time. A bit more fitness, a bit more adaptation in our game. Who knows? But we will not find out. Once Romelu gave his clear opinion on the situation and there was a solution on the table, the owners made their choice and had my blessing.”
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