Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku has been dropped from the Blues squad to face Liverpool.
In an interview recorded several weeks ago but aired on Thursday, Belgium striker Lukaku said he was “not happy” with his bit-part role under Blues boss Thomas Tuchel earlier this season.
He added he would like to return to Inter Milan, who he left for Chelsea in August, in the near future.
Tuchel said the comments had brought the club “noise we don’t need”.
According to reports, Lukaku has now been omitted from today’s matchday squad. Lukaku has scored seven goals in 18 appearances since he rejoined Chelsea this summer.
He has also been hampered by injury and illness and, at times, found himself left out of the starting line-up when fit.
However, he has had a recent upturn in form, scoring in his last two Premier League appearances, after discussions about his role with Tuchel.