The Belgian was an unused substitute in our most recent outing, last weekend’s defeat at Everton, but Tuchel reiterated that he remains an important part of the squad and could feature against Wolves this afternoon following a solid week of training at Cobham.

We host Bruno Lage’s men with a top-four finish still to be sealed with four Premier League games of the season remaining, plus the FA Cup final against Liverpool next weekend, and Lukaku could have a key role to play as we seek to achieve our season aims and lift silverware.

It has been suggested that the 28-year-old does not have the same status he enjoyed at Inter Milan and that could be a reason why he has not replicated the same heights yet on the field, however Tuchel does not believe that to be the case.

‘He’s strong in training like everybody else,’ reported the boss. ‘He’s positive and he has his influence.

‘I don’t see any more superstars in our squad than Inter Milan. I see a very humble and not-at-all superstar squad here so in terms of status, if you want to say that, I think he is the key figure. It shows with how many questions are asked about him.

‘When Jorginho was in a lack of form and we over-used him, he was out for many games and at some point I had to remind everyone that he is in a pretty similar position because nobody was asking. So I don’t think this is a group of superstars where Romelu is in the shade.’

Of more immediate concern to Tuchel is pushing the squad to recover from a run of just one win in four games and the return of Lukaku up front could be the inspiration needed to kickstart our run-in.

The Chelsea head coach has searched for solutions to his various attacking conundrums but believes his number nine’s focus and attitude cannot be doubted.

‘Maybe he took too much responsibility or demanded too much from himself, maybe we expected too much, or maybe it’s a mix of everything,’ added Tuchel. ‘We treat him pretty normal, he behaves pretty normal and that’s what I love about him from the first minute.

‘I never had the feeling that I train a superstar. I train a hungry guy who wants to score, who is not happy of course with how things are going, but who is still trying for a better outcome and that’s what counts.

‘It’s the process and he’s fully involved in it so as long as it’s like this, he gets our full support.’

While it is another important weekend for the Blues in the Premier League, there are also decisive games on Sunday for Chelsea Women and our development squad, with the former going for a third successive Women’s Super League title and the youngsters vying to stay in the top tier of Premier League 2.

Tuchel is well aware of what is at stake in other areas of the club and suggested the Under-23s may be bolstered by a couple of senior squad members, a sign of support that he has also echoed with words.

‘We have a big weekend coming, not only for us in the situation where we are but the Women have a crucial match coming up for big success,’ he added. ‘They can win the league again so of course Emma Hayes has my full support mentally and emotionally. She’s doing a fantastic job and we hope for the very best.

‘At the same time, we play here with our Under-23s a crucial match to avoid relegation. It will maybe involve some players from us but we will see what happens on Saturday.

‘It’s a big Sunday and both teams have our full support. We’re one club and the more teams that win, the better atmosphere it is.’