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How to feed a footballer: Forget alcohol and ketchup, now it's all cookery courses and meals on wheels as clubs take scientific approach to refuelling their stars

Romelu Lukaku was heading to his seat in the Finch Farm canteen carrying a plate with some bagels on it when Everton’s nutritionist spotted something wasn’t quite right.

‘Where is the protein on that?’ he whispered in Lukaku’s ear.

So back the now-Inter striker Lukaku went to get some poached eggs and only then did his breakfast tick all the right nutritional boxes. Footballers’ diets have come a long way.

The days of grabbing a McDonalds on the way to training Matt Le Tissier-style – albeit doing his performances no harm - Steve Bould scoffing nine dinners in an eating competition on the way back from a game or Steve Howey guzzling beer for breakfast, lunch and dinner are long gone.