Legendary former Chelsea, Marseille, and Galatasaray striker Didier Drogba feels that when Inter striker Romelu Lukaku is missing for the Belgian national team, he is truly irreplaceable.

Speaking to Belgian broadcaster RTBF, via FCInterNews, Drogba highlighted the special nature of Lukaku and the fact that replicating his contribution is next to impossible.

Inter have had to cope without Lukaku for the majority of the season so far due to injury.

The Nerazzurri’s attack has been carried by the likes of Edin Dzeko and Lautaro Martinez in particular, and whilst the pair have certainly delivered goals when needed, the sense is that the team don’t quite carry the threat they do with Lukaku in the team.

For the Belgian national team it has been a similar story.

Lukaku made a short cameo appearance from the bench in the Red Devils’ loss to Morocco over the weekend, but for the most part they have had to rely on the 29-year-old’s deputy Michy Batshuayi.

“This is where we realize that Romelu Lukaku is an essential part of this team,” Drogba analuzed.

“Without one of your leaders, it’s not the same.”

“Michy Batshuayi did his job in the first match against Canada, but Romelu is still Romelu.”

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Cubs designate lefty reliever for assignment
Two-time Super Bowl champ signs with AFC contender
Stars center matches Gretzky feat as Dallas pushes Avalanche to brink
Gritty young Thunder take down veteran Mavericks in Game 4
Cubs acquiring veteran reliever from Mariners
Top-five NBA Draft prospect suffers scary non-contact injury
Hurricanes stay alive with third-period outburst vs. Rangers
Jaylen Brown's big three-pointer gives Celtics 3-1 lead over Cavs
Avalanche star placed in player assistance program
Mercury announce devastating injury on eve of WNBA season
Randy Moss' son makes major football announcement
Reds place key outfielder on injured list with broken thumb
Tom Brady's broadcasting debut set for Week 1 of NFL season
Struggling Cubs reliever placed on injured list 
Report: Justin Fields had ‘toxic' relationship with ex-Bears QB
Extension makes Lions QB Jared Goff one of NFL's highest-paid players
Kentucky's Reed Sheppard displays excellent skills at NBA Draft Combine
Knicks big man undergoes another ankle surgery
Flames CEO stepping down, transitioning to advisory role
Oilers star seemingly dismisses Arturs Silovs' performance in Game 3

Want more Inter news?

Join the hundreds of thousands of fans who start their day with Yardbarker's Morning Bark, the best newsletter in sports.