Chelsea
5 Reasons Why Chelsea Should Still Fear An Ageing Didier Drogba
With Chelsea set to take on Galatasaray tonight, Tom Gatehouse highlights the enduring threat of Didier Drogba and gives 5 reasons they should fear the striker
Didier Drogba is an all-time Chelsea legend, let alone a Premier League icon of the modern day.
One of the most feared strikers of his generation, the Ivorian terrorised opponents for eight tremendous years for the Blues, winning the Premier League Golden Boot on two occasions, as well as earning his side a plethora of silverware for his all-action displays of power and poise.
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His winning penalty in the 2012 Champions League final against Bayern Munich permanently etched his name into the cosmos, with Chelsea fans everywhere utterly mortified at his resulting departure to Asia when the last piece of ticker-tape had fallen to the floor.
But ‘the Drog’ was not finished yet, and now with Turkish side Galatasaray, he is poised to take on his old Chelsea colleagues tonight in the Türk Telekom Arena.
But should the Blues fear the nearly 36-year-old striker? Yes they should, and here’s why…
1. Drogba is the ultimate big-game striker
Having scored the winning goal in last season’s Turkish super cup final, Drogba has now scored 10 goals in 10 cup finals.
Not a man to be messed with when the chips are down, Didier has a warrior-like will to win, and considering the number of times the Ivorian has smashed in goals on the biggest of occasions, the Blues should be wary that Drogba is fully capable of providing an upset.
2. Drogba knows the Chelsea defence inside out
While the same can be said of the Chelsea defence’s knowledge of Drogba from his time at Stamford Bridge, Drogba’s understanding of the Chelsea tactics, especially under Jose Mourinho, could give him the key edge in that all important moment.
3. Drogba is on top form
Galatasaray have played six Champions League games so far, scoring eight goals. Didier Drogba has scored two, and assisted three of those eight, making him on red hot form for the Turks, who knocked out Serie A leaders Juventus to set up a meeting with Chelsea in the last 16.
4. Drogba’s strengths are not debilitated by age
Never the speedster, Drogba relies on strength and power, something that he still has in abundance. Jose Mourinho, like he did during his first stint as Chelsea boss, has created a physically imposing side, with which to dominate proceedings.
Drogba was intrinsic to this method during his time in West London, and could well come back to give the Chelsea defence a taste of their own medicine.
5. Drogba has Wesley Sneijder
At 29-years-old, the Dutchman may have seen his career stall somewhat, but he is still a real danger for Gala, and could easily provide the killer ball for Drogba to pounce upon. With Nemanja Matic cup-tied, John Obi Mikel will have to be at his best to stop Sneijder.
What do you think? Who will come out on top this evening in Turkey? Let me know in the comments below…
