Former Chelsea forward Eden Hazard has downplayed Romelu Lukaku's influence on the Belgium squad at the World Cup but declared himself the possible hero for their campaign. It comes as the Red Devils prepare for their second game of the group stages against Morocco.
Belgium struggled in their first clash against Canada, but a Michy Batshuayi strike was enough for them to earn a win without Lukaku up front amid injury concerns. The Chelsea club-record signing has been a huge part of the national squad over the past few years, elevating fears of their chances with his absence.
However, Hazard has stepped up to take the claim as a potential World Cup hero, telling reporters ahead of their next group stage game: "If I'm well, Belgium can win the World Cup. I feel good. I want to play. The mental difficulties were especially when I was injured, and I didn't understand why."
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Perhaps the snub of Lukaku reflects the difficult year the forward has had, struggling to fire for Chelsea before making a return to Inter Milan on loan. While there, the Belgian has suffered injury concerns and barely featured for Simone Inzaghi's side since joining up with them again.
It has led to former Nerazzurri president Massimo Moratti claiming the 29-year-old's move from Stamford Bridge is a "rip-off". Speaking on Gianluca Rossi's YouTube channel via Football Italia, he said: "We almost forgot the fact that Inter are doing without the player they had based everything on, Lukaku. A big rip-off, he has practically never played."
It doesn't bode well for the next move for Lukaku, with uncertainty about his future after the loan spell, be that at Chelsea or elsewhere.
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