Tuchel refuses to praise Lukaku after his goals against Wolves

Thomas Tuchel refused to single Romelu Lukaku out for praise after Chelsea’s 2-2 draw at home to Wolves.

Lukaku has struggled for form this season but showed what he can do by scoring twice for the Blues, only for them to be denied by a late Wolves fightback.

Head coach Tuchel was so disappointed he admitted the draw felt like a defeat – and he gave a terse response when asked about Lukaku at his post-match press conference.

Tuchel replied: “Okay, a good performance but this is for sure not the moment to talk about individual performances and to praise individual players.

“We do this as a team and we lost crucial points. This is not the moment to praise individuals.”

Tuchel also dismissed suggestions that new developments in Chelsea’s ownership situation will help his side regain focus.

A sale has been agreed to a consortium led by LA Dodgers baseball team co-owner Todd Boehly, with the group paying £2.5bn for the club’s shares.

Boehly was in attendance at Stamford Bridge.

Tuchel said: “I don’t think that ownership is a reason for a lack of focus. I don’t think there is a lack of focus.

“I think we’re focused and we showed [this] during the situation when it began, that we can still focus. I would not consider this as an advantage for the match against Leeds, absolutely not.

“It does not change much for us because the sanctions are not lifted and the season will anyway go on.”