EPL: You're not Messi, Chelsea plays better without you - Di Canio slams 'fragile' Lukaku

Former Juventus and West Ham forward, Paolo Di Canio, has slammed Chelsea striker, Romelu Lukaku.

Di Canio said Lukaku is not Paris Saint-Germain's Lionel Messi, adding that Chelsea plays much better without him in the Blues' squad.

He branded the Belgium international, who was dropped from Chelsea's squad against Liverpool, as a 'fragile' player and a 'big soppy cat'.

Di Canio said this while reacting to Lukaku's recent explosive interview with Sky Sport Italy.

Lukaku had criticized Chelsea boss, Thomas Tuchel and revealed he's unhappy with the current situation at Chelsea.

He also spoke on returning to Inter Milan in the near future.

Speaking on the development, Di Canio told Sky Sports Italy: "This interview shows the weakness of an athlete who after six months gives up, perhaps because he arrived there with the arrogance of someone who doesn't realize what his real level is.

"He won the Scudetto in Italy as a co-protagonist with his other teammates, but he's no Lionel Messi. Inter would have won even without him if they had Duvan Zapata or someone like that upfront. He's a functional player who did his duty in that team.

"He then went to the Champions of Europe, in the Premier League against sides like Manchester City and Liverpool, where he is just one of many big names. If you arrive at Chelsea and think you are going to be number one, you are in for a rude awakening!

"Chelsea played much better without Lukaku. He's a fragile player, so he seems to have character, but when he talks like that, the truth is he is very fragile.

"Lukaku scored an incredible own goal here, it was a disastrous interview that made absolutely everybody unhappy, including himself. As I always said, he is a big soppy cat more than a panther, he has never been hungry or determined in big situations.

"I think Chelsea are tearing their hair out with regret over this transfer, especially as they did not even really need this player."