Romelu Lukaku is following the advice of Chelsea greats Didier Drogba after sealing his dream comeback at Stamford Bridge.
Lukaku re-signed for Chelsea last week, joining European champions Inter on a £ 97.5million (€ 115million) deal.
He initially joined Chelsea in 2011, but moved to Everton in 2014 after being loaned successively to West London. Lukaku continued to play for Manchester United before spending two years in Italy with Inter, helping them win the Serie A title last season.
The Belgian star made no secret of his admiration for Drogba, making the former Ivorian one of his football heroes.
Lukaku, who has confirmed he will wear the number nine shirt this season, has a close bond with his former team-mate and revealed he has spoken to Drogba since returning to Chelsea.
“He kept it very simple,” Lukaku said, asking what advice Drogba had given him.
“He’s really happy with the improvements I’ve made over the past two seasons, but he always says there is still work to be done.
“I think that’s the right frame of mind, if you want to reach your maximum as a player, it’s about getting better week after week.
“The last two years have been very good for me at club level, at international level. Now I have the chance to join a very hungry, very ambitious team and I can’t wait to help them and add something back to the style of play.
“It’s a good feeling, the guys are very hungry, they want to keep winning. There is good intensity, the coach is very clear with his ideas, everyone wants to work hard and keep improving and especially win.
“These things really meet my ambitions. We have to improve on the pitch and that’s what I like about this team.”
Lukaku trained with his teammates this week and has confirmed he is available for Sunday’s London derby against Arsenal, should Thomas Tuchel wish to use him.
“Yes, I trained, I did a whole pre-season. I will try to get to know my teammates better and I am ready if the manager wants to use me,” he added.
“The next few weeks are very important to communicate with all the players. We have a certain style of play here but for me it is not too difficult to adapt because with the Belgian national team we have the same system. , so that’s already a good thing. “
The 28-year-old had previously explained how he felt he could be part of a management squad in the Chelsea squad and explained how he matured as a player during his time at Milan.
“Maturity, maturity was important. I learned a lot more about myself, setting higher standards for myself,” Lukaku said.
“As a player, it becomes more complete because the game in Italy is very different, it is much tighter, the spaces, more clinical and tactical which have helped me a lot. The English game is different but for me it is is nothing new. So I come back here, adapt to my teammates and whatever the coach’s game plan is, I can adapt and help the team. “
Lukaku is returning to England at a time when, for the first time since March 2020, full crowds are allowed to enter the stadiums.
However, with the easing of restrictions on coronaviruses, players are also under pressure to ensure that they are fully vaccinated. Although the Premier League has not made vaccinations mandatory, there are concerns that players are refusing to accept the offer.
When asked if he had received the vaccines, Lukaku said, “I am doubly vaccinated. For me it is different as I have a few high risk family members.
“As a player it’s up to you. The only thing we can say is to be careful when you’re in the general population, because you have a lot of responsibilities. For me, I have it. done because my family has high risk members, which is why I did it. “
