Unstoppable Lukaku owes it to Drogba

DIDIER DROGBA has revealed he has been advising Romelu Lukaku on how to become a better striker.

The Belgian scored twice in the win over Tunisia, moving alongside Cristiano Ronaldo as the leading marksman at this World Cup with four goals.

During the build up to his first goal yesterday Lukaku, who is the first person at this World Cup to score with his left foot, right foot and head, made the defender think he was going to run straight down the middle — see the dotted line in our picture (right) — before a quick shimmy saw him dart in a different direction — into the shaded zone — enabling him to move round the back and have a clear shot on goal unchallenged.

Speaking on the BBC, Drogba said: ‘We are talking about Lukaku being able to change the

angle of his runs and create his own space to be able to shoot. That’s exactly what he did there. Attracting the defender one way and then going the other way.

‘I spoke with him a lot about that, the short steps before kicking the ball. Just like a tennis player, they do short steps and then hit it and this gives you more accuracy.

‘He’s someone who wants to learn and I’m really happy to give him advice. I think he’s taking advice from everyone now, obviously with Thierry Henry, so he’s learning from him. When you want to be the best you have to learn from the best.’

The only negative so far for Lukaku in the tournament is the ankle injury he sustained yesterday which forced him off after 59 minutes and makes him a doubt to face England on Thursday.