Romelu Lukaku was embroiled in a public row with his agent ahead of Chelsea’s FA Cup final showdown with Liverpool at Wembley.
The Belgium striker is expected to start for Thomas Tuchel’s team on Saturday after scoring three goals in his last two Premier League games.
But the 29-year-old hit out at agent Federico Pastorello, who had told an Italian newspaper there was a ‘problem’ with Lukaku at Chelsea and that he would seek a meeting with the club’s new owners this summer to discuss it.
Writing on his Instagram page, Lukaku said: ‘Never ever will I let someone speak for me. I kept my mouth shut and focused on helping the team end the season in the best way possible.
Romelu Lukaku (left) hit back at his own agent, Federico Pastorello (right) for suggesting he plans to speak to Chelsea’s new owners on the eve of the FA Cup final
The Chelsea forward took to Instagram to release a statement addressing the plans
‘So if someone out there is trying to say something about me and the club, it’s not in my name.’
Lukaku joined Chelsea from Inter Milan last summer for £97.5million but has failed to make an impact and gave Tuchel and the club a problem before Christmas, when he spoke of tactical differences with his manager and hinted at a return to the Serie A club.
On Friday, Pastorello told La Repubblica: ‘For the cost of the transfer, no one could have expected such a situation. I do not discuss the tactical choices, but it is obvious that there is a problem.’
In his Instagram statement, the striker insisted he had remained silent on any transfer plans
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel (left) revealed he was caught unaware by the news of the plans
Tuchel was asked about the issue when he spoke to the media at Chelsea’s training ground on Friday afternoon.
He said: ‘If he (Pastorello) plans to talk with the owner then maybe it’s not his plan to talk with me.
‘If he gets a meeting, maybe he can talk. It’s his right and we will talk to anybody and evaluate the situation of any player including Romelu.
‘Sometimes in football the tension is so high it attracts situations that you don’t want to have before big matches.
Lukaku looked to have given Tuchel a boost ahead of the big game, finding his finishing touch
‘For me it’s not a distraction and hopefully it’s not for everyone who works with the team.’
Lukaku scored against Leeds on Wednesday in a 3-0 win and also found the net twice at Stamford Bridge last weekend, when Chelsea drew 2-2 with Wolves. Those three goals took his league tally this season to eight.
In December, Lukaku admitted he was ‘not happy’ with his place in Tuchel’s first-team plans.
During an interview with Sky Sport Italia, the Belgium international said: ‘Physically I am fine.
‘But I’m not happy with the situation at Chelsea. Tuchel has chosen to play with another system.’
He also revealed that Inter Milan is in his heart and that ‘he knows he will return’ to the Serie A giants in the future.
The Belgian scored the Blues’ third goal in their 3-0 league victory over Leeds in midweek