Chelsea and Real Madrid suffer blow as Roberto Martinez confirms Romelu Lukaku and Eden Hazard have LEFT the Belgium camp with ‘muscle fatigue’ after being substituted off
- Eden Hazard and Romelu Lukaku joined up with Belgium for the internationals
- Belgium are set for a clash with Italy on Sunday in the Nations League
- The two star men have now dropped out of the squad, Roberto Martinez has said
- The Chelsea and Real Madrid forwards have suffered ‘muscle fatigue’
Belgium will face Italy in the Nations League third place play-off without star men Romelu Lukaku and Eden Hazard, Roberto Martinez has confirmed.
Lukaku looked spun and finished ruthlessly to finishing off a pint-point passing Belgian move against France on Thursday, though Kylian Mbappe and Co moved into the final with a 3-2 win.
The heavyweight finisher played the full 90 minutes while Hazard was substituted off after 74, but both men are now flying back to their clubs with injuries.
Romelu Lukaku and Eden Hazard will play no part in Belgium’s clash with Italy on Sunday
Roberto Martinez revealed the players’ absence from his squad:’Romelu Lukaku is suffering from muscle fatigue, same as Eden Hazard.’
‘They’re not in best conditions to play. They’re leaving the national team camp due to these problems – I don’t know how long it will take.’
The new will cause concerns for Chelsea and Real Madrid, with both men playing key roles so far this season.
Lukaku has become the focal point of the Blues’ attack after his big-money move this season, though his early form has slipped and the striker is without a goal in five games.
Belgium boss Roberto Martinez revealed the two star’s absence for the Nations League clash
Hazard has made four starts in LaLiga for Madrid, but with the stuttering former Premier League Player of the Year still without a goal and only a single assist, Carlo Ancelotti has began relegating him to the substitute’s bench.
The Blues face west-London neighbours Brentford when the Premier League resumes next Saturday, and Thomas Tuchel will be desperate to have the Chelsea No.9 back in time.
Tuchel will be relieved when Timo Werner finally bagged his first goal of the season against Southampton, and if Lukaku is absent it could be a prime opportunity for the German to step up.