Romelu Lukaku has no future at Chelsea as long as Thomas Tuchel keeps mismanaging his goal-getting talents.

That's according to talkSPORT pundit and former Premier League star Carlton Palmer, who has been left baffled by the German coach's treatment of the striker since his return to Stamford Bridge.

Lukaku has not enjoyed the glorious Chelsea return he might have expected

Rumours have been swirling over Lukaku's long-term future even since the player himself spoke out in December about his role in the Chelsea team and his move from Inter Milan - where he was a popular figure and vital player in a title-winning team.

The 28-year-old sparked controversy when he told Italian media about his unhappiness at Chelsea, how he never really wanted to leave Inter, how he would have stayed had they responded to Chelsea's interest with a contract offer of their own, and admitting he was 'hurt' the Italian giants didn't try harder to keep him.

Tuchel has responded to the gossip surrounding the striker, who is being linked with the exit door in the upcoming summer window just one season after re-joining Chelsea in a club-record £97.5million deal, and insists he in an 'important' player for the team.

Speaking ahead of the Blues' Premier League clash against Brentford, Tuchel said: "We don't reflect on it [the Lukaku rumours].

"Our situation at the moment is that we cannot talk to players, we cannot sell and we cannot buy, so in this moment we don't even need to think about it.

"These are the players we have and Romelu plays a big part in our plans. Maybe not the part he wants to play, and I totally understand it.

Lukaku faced heavy criticism after he had just seven touches of the ball in a game against Crystal Palace earlier this season, and one of them was at kick-off

"But he used his time off also to disconnect a little bit - he had one week of holiday and then he was back with us, and I feel he is very motivated and very strong in training.

"He is very much involved in games, he is a winner and he will stay a winner and he will stay important for us."

The question, though, is whether Lukaku really has been that important for Chelsea this season.

The Belgium international has 12 goals in all competitions for the Blues this season, but only five in 19 appearances in the Premier League, having failed to find the net in his last six top-flight outings.

Kai Havertz is currently keeping him out of the team, with the German now hitting the form many expected from him when Chelsea signed him from Bayern Leverkusen for £70m.

Havertz' purple patch has seen Lukaku used as a bit-part player at Chelsea in recent weeks

Despite Tuchel's claims - Chelsea will be able to buy and sell once their takeover goes through - Lukaku's future at Stamford Bridge is far from certain.

In fact, former England international Palmer is certain he doesn't have a future at all at the London club, as long as the German coach is in charge.

"I don't think he's got a future under Tuchel, I really don't," he told talkSPORT.

"When he first came back, he started the season on fire. He is an absolutely fantastic footballer, and I just don't understand why a manager would sign a player for that amount of money and then try and change the way he plays the game.

Lukaku was the main man at Inter Milan, where he lifted the Serie A title, but he's taking a back seat since returning to Chelsea

"That's what they've tried to do at Chelsea and that's why you haven't seen the best of Romelu Lukaku.

"You've seen the way Lukaku plays, he plays on the last man's shoulder, he likes the ball to come quick and early down the sides to use his pace. 

"But Tuchel doesn't want that, he wants his front man to play a little bit differently and he's not so fussed about the volume of goals he scores, as long as the team scores and wins.

"At the start of the season everyone was saying Chelsea are going to be challenging for the Premier League title, then all of a sudden Lukaku has hardly been in games, even though he's such a handful."