MANAGER Mauricio Pochettino has been told NOT to pick outcast striker Romelu Lukaku.
Chelsea are running out of time to offload the £97.5million Belgian ahead of next Friday night’s transfer deadline.
Romelu Lukaku has been frozen out at Stamford BridgePA
Mauricio Pochettino is still waiting for his first win as Chelsea bossGetty
New Blues chief Pochettino took on the job knowing there was a stand-off between the forward, 30, and board — and is caught in the middle of a nightmare situation.
Poch said: “The issue was already really clear before we arrived here. There was a wish between the club and player to find a solution. At the moment we’re relaxed and nothing has happened.
“If something changes we will inform you. If the player and club’s wish is to find a solution, it’s not me, it’s them.
“In that case, the player and club will inform me that things have changed.
“I’m not going to move until the club or player wants to talk with me.
“I am here, I accept the situation that was here when I arrived on July 3.”
Juventus have offered just £35m for a player who cost Chelsea a club-record fee two years ago.
Fellow Italian side Roma want a loan deal — but Blues chairman Todd Boehly is insisting on a permanent sale only.
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Lukaku is training with the Under-21s and has not spoken to Pochettino since he joined last month.
Poch wants another forward and failing to offload Lukaku makes buying a replacement tougher — but the head coach is adamant it must be the right deal.
He is currently waiting on injuries to forwards Armando Broja and Christopher Nkunku and goalscoring midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka.
Ahead of hosting Luton on Friday night, Poch said: “If you bring in a player that is not fit or needs to adapt, maybe you spend the same time waiting for Broja, Nkunku or Carney.
“Then you are going to create a mess in the squad. That is why we are working really hard to analyse the situation.”
Brazilian superkid Deivid Washington, 18, has joined Chelsea from Santos in an £18.7m deal.
Forward Washington could immediately go out on loan.
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