Real Madrid keeper Thibaut Courtois says Romelu Lukaku's lack of game time at Chelsea is 'strange'

Real Madrid's Thibaut Courtois says he finds it «strange» that Romelu Lukaku has played such a bit-part role at Chelsea this season. As Belgium teammates, Courtois knows all about the threat the 28-year-old frontman can pose and believes he can come through his sticky spell in West London which has seen him remain largely out of favour under Blues boss Thomas Tuchel. Ad/> The pair will come face-to-face on Wednesday night at Stamford Bridge, with Real travelling to Stamford Bridge for the Champions League quarter-final first leg tie.

Football'No crazy stuff and crazy speeches' — Tuchel calls for calm ahead of Real clashYESTERDAY AT 15:43 «I know Romelu is a really great striker. Obviously, it is a bit strange not to see him play that much lately,» Courtois said. «He is a guy with an enormous quality.

He finds the goal easily. Obviously there are other great strikers in Chelsea. I understand it is not always easy when the team is winning, obviously, the manager keeps playing the same players.

»But I’m sure he will get through it. Sometimes you just need a little adaptation. I had the same thing in my first season at Real Madrid, it wasn’t easy.

I’m sure he will come through. Seven touches and ‘volume’ — how Havertz leapfrogged Lukaku to become Chelsea’s No 9 ‘Way stronger’ Real looking to avenge 2021 semi-final Chelsea defeat – Inside Europe «I’m sure he will be good but I hope it’s not tomorrow [Wednesday]. He can wait one more week.” Lukaku's relationship with Tuchel has been under the microscope this season, with the Belgian's explosive comments to Sky Italia back in December detailing his unhappiness creating a significant fissure.