Belgium have a chance of going all the way at the 2018 World Cup with the form that Romelu Lukaku has shown, according to Didier Drogba. The Manchester United striker has scored four goals at the tournament to help Roberto Martinez’s side into the last 16, where they will face Japan. Lukaku may have been left out of their third group-stage game, against England, but Drogba has confidence in him after his 27-goal season at United and a bright start to the campaign in Russia.
“I am still challenging him, for example, to get more goals for United next season than the 27 he got last season, and to get the Golden Boot at this World Cup, too,” he said.
“We do not always talk about work, though. I have been to see him at Belgium’s training camp in Moscow and we did not speak seriously then.
“I know his team-mates Eden Hazard, Marouane Fellaini and their assistant coach Thierry Henry as well, and it was nice to speak to them all about everything and nothing.
“It was a just normal chat between friends, making jokes about players and watching Croatia’s win over Argentina at the same time.
“We were just having fun and it was clear that Romelu and the Belgium squad are in a good place, not just playing well and winning games.
“That is one of the reasons I am backing them to do so well at this tournament, and with Romelu in this sort of form, they definitely have a chance.”
Lukaku and Drogba worked together when the former joined Chelsea from Anderlecht. Although he has since gone on to represent their domestic rivals United, Drogba is delighted to see him keep developing.
“Romelu is a player and person I have a special relationship with,” he added. “I have known him for seven years, since he first came to Chelsea at the age of 18 in 2011, and we are really close.