Thomas Tuchel has heaped praise on Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku who has scored four goals for the club in all competitions since his return to Stamford Bridge in the summer.

The Belgian’s goal against Zenit St Petersburg made all the difference as the west London club flagged off the defence of the Champions League trophy they won last season.

Lukaku’s chances were limited as Zenit defended well and with real resilience but he pounced on the first opportunity he was given to score with a towering header.

Chelsea struggled to make any impression in the first half but it was clear Tuchel had ordered his players to move through the gears and they were much more forceful after the break.

“The performance from Romelu was not easy. We didn’t create many chances for him but he’s the type of guy who doesn’t lose confidence and belief. And that is why he is a world-class striker,” Tuchel said of the world class Belgian, via Sky Sports.

“He’s super important, it’s as easy as that. You don’t find many strikers of his quality. We did win also without Romelu and produced results. But he was the type of profile we were missing, not just because of the talent but because of the personality.

“He is such a humble guy, a super communicator in the dressing room, and that creates a certain energy around him in the team that we are proud of and what to have.

“The spirit and atmosphere last year took us very far and it’s important we have it again. We have it with Romelu, he knows what the club is about. We have him and we are very pleased because he gives everybody around him confidence.”

Tuchel had earlier told BT Sport: “You need the energy from the crowd and it was a fantastic atmosphere.

“It was an excellent header [from Lukaku for the goal], a well timed cross by Azpilicueta. He was brave enough to step up and we had bodies in the box.

“That’s why he [Lukaku] is here. He likes to score and he’s decisive for us.”