Everton hitman Romelu Lukaku reveals which Chelsea legend he rings for tips

Lukaku scored his 50th Everton goal to salvage a 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace

ROMELU LUKAKU still turns to Didier Drogba for advice and goal-scoring tips as he looks to become one of the world's most-feared strikers.

 

Everton forward Lukaku also said his frustrating time at Chelsea, where opportunities were restricted in part due to the form of players like boyhood idol Drogba, has helped forge who he is today.

Lukaku scored his 50th goal for Everton on his 100th appearance to rescue a point in Monday's 1-1 stalemate with Crystal Palace and continue a scoring streak that has seen him plunder 14 goals in all competitions this season - and remain hot on the heels of Jamie Vardy in the hunt for the Golden Boot.

Yet after his latest heroics, courtesy of another assist from Gerard Deulofeu, Lukaku highlighted the role Drogba, now at Montreal Impact in the MLS, continues to play in his progress.

 

"I still speak to him," said Lukaku. "He gives me tips all the time. Me and him, we have a really special relationship since day one.

"When I arrived at Chelsea, they put me next to him in the dressing room so that is when it started and I saw what a top professional he was.

"Not just him but John Terry, Frank Lampard, Nicolas Anelka, Fernando Torres. As an 18-year-old I was watching what they were doing and soaking it up and it was a good year of preparation.

 

"At the time I was frustrated because when I was 17 I was playing a lot in Belgium and I had a great reputation, but looking back I think it helped me to be the player I am today."

It reflects well on Lukaku, still only 22, that he has remained in touch with Drogba after spending one season with him at Stamford Bridge when they never actually shared a pitch together.

Asked what he learned from the Ivory Coast star, he said: "The determination to win. He was a leader. When the team needed him the most he always delivered so that is what I aim for and, hopefully, one day I can say I was that type of player.

 

"I text him, I phone him whenever I need him. I texted him last week when he was going back to Canada but whenever I need him I just call him and say: 'I did this today, this is going through my mind, how should I do this?'

"He knows what to say and what not to say and that's what I like about him."

While Drogba remains a source of inspiration for Lukaku, who became the first Everton player since Peter Beardsley in 1991 to find the target in six successive games, he is determined to out-grow the parallels and establish himself in his own right.

 

Lukaku's idol Drogba has been in fine form for Montreal Impact in the MLS

The development in his all-round game now compliments the variety in his finishing and has set him on the right path.

"He is my idol and he knows it but I am Romelu Lukaku and I am proud of my family name and I want to make my own story," said Lukaku.

"I respect Didier a lot but I think there are still differences in our style of play and I am a young player. I want to play at a high level and help my team-mates out and, hopefully, at the end of my career I can say I did my best to create a name for myself."