'With Romelu Lukaku in this sort of form, they definitely have a chance': Didier Drogba insists Belgium can win World Cup with striker firing up front

Didier Drogba believes Belgium 'definitely have a chance' of winning the World Cupwith Romelu Lukaku in red-hot form. 

The Manchester United striker has netted four goals so far at the World Cup, just one behind Harry Kane, and will fancy his chances of getting on the scoresheet when Belgium take on Japan in the round of 16 on Monday evening.

And Drogba, a former team-mate of Lukaku's while the pair were at Chelsea together, is confident the 25-year-old will continue to fire Belgium to victory as the World Cup progresses.

'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 told BBC Sport.

'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 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 was nursing a slight ankle injury as Belgium beat England in their final group game but he is back for the knockout clash with Japan.

If Roberto Martinez's side beat Japan, they will either take on Brazil or Mexico in the quarter-finals.

Daily Mail