The trouble with Didier

I’m sure you all remember the days when you could shrug off the effects of a hangover by 11, leaving you clear-eyed and bushy-tailed when your elders and betters were still groaning into their coffee. Nights spent curled up in the architectural equivalent of Skinner’s box, with your head hanging over the edge of someone’s sofa, meant nothing to your lithe physique. Blessed with the springy, elastic frame of youth, the mild discomfort of a contorted night’s sleep soon gave way to the promise of a new day. But no longer.

Well, not for me. Age catches up with all of us. If a mate doesn’t have a spare room and a decent duvet, I’m catching the last train out of there. And so, in one of the most ham-fisted segues ever committed to the pages of a national broadsheet’s website, on to Didier Drogba, who will almost certainly be perusing the timetables this summer with a view to catching the sleeper service to Milan, Madrid, or one of the other... er... two clubs he said he wanted to play for. One of which is in Milan. Look, you get the idea.

That Didier is a fantastic – and could be a genuinely great – striker is not in doubt. But at 30 years of age, it’s only going to get harder to shrug off those mid-week European sleepovers.  For all that the man appears to have been carved out of teak, it’s going to take more than a quick spray of Pledge to get him gleaming and match-fit for Saturday afternoon. Or Monday morning, or whenever else Sky and Setanta, in their infinite wisdom, decide to schedule the league games next season. Midnight Tuesday football, anyone?

So what to do with Didier? Lest we forget, the big fella signed a contract extension last year that keeps him at Chelsea for 3 more seasons. He’s been our most potent attacking weapon for the last two years, international commitments and injury notwithstanding. There is no finer exponent of what he does in world football. If you’re looking for a Big Man with a Good Touch, who just happens to be able to take free kicks, cross well and score from anywhere within 25 yards of goal while simultaneously holding off both Jamie Carragher and Sami Hyppia, the Drog is your man.

But, to the big question. Do the Chelsea fans love him?

After all, the man hasn’t exactly endeared himself to the faithful in the last year or so, now has he? Don’t get me wrong: I’m not the kind of person who would rather just nod along to the relentless beat of optimism that issues from the Chelsea Press Office, but there are ways and means of communicating your dissatisfaction. It’s a pity that so many footballers choose the mass media as their confessional of choice. When it comes in the middle of a season, with the club fighting for trophies, you can’t help but feel a little resentful on behalf of the 30 other players in the squad who are getting on with their job.

Having said that, I admire anyone who can wear their heart on their sleeve. Drogba is clearly an emotional man. When someone asks him a question, he says what’s on his mind. The recent interview with Michael Ballack in Der Spiegel was a paradigm of diplomatic understatement. John Terry is very on-message with his tub-thumping. Frank Lampard, articulate soul that he is, restricts himself to uncontroversial declarations of intent.

There is certainly a school of thought which suggests that the best thing to do is to sell the Drog for £20-odd million as soon as the final in Moscow is over, and put the money into a piggybank marked “David Villa” or “Kaka”. Then there’s the thinking which states that you’re not going to find a more effective out-and-out striker with Premiership nous anywhere in the world, including the Premiership.

So how do you feel about Didier Drogba? Chelsea fans, does his athleticism and unerring eye for goal stir your blood enough to make you forget that he hankers after a higher salary and condominium in Milano? Opposition fans: do you relish seeing your centrebacks play the most unplayable forward in the world, or are you just tired of the theatrics?

Over to you.

Comments

[James Allport]

Drogba is a superb player that must be kept at all costs. The author of this article does not appear to be a Chelsea regular as Drogba is one of the most popular players at the club and there are many songs in his honour. He is a passionate man, nothing wrong in that, I wish a few of them were frankly.

[Manchester United Credit Card]

I dont think DD is not exactly a legend or a superstar or even anything close to it. He does however fit in the chelsea team very well and should stay, for chelsea's sake. He has made one of the worlds most expensive striker, shevchenko look worthless. How many players can do that? not many. But on the other hand, i do think anelka is a better player than him and would be a good cover if DD was to go.

[AlpharettaBlue]

If he leaves Chels with a Champions League Trophy, he'll leave a legend. No regrets. No remorse. He will have done what Roman paid him to do. No more, no less. In today's sport, that's all you can ask.

[Braveheart blue]

Drogba is great when he decides he wants to play, when he doesn't he is dreadful. Rafa did us a great favour winding him up. I am sure Drogs is a great person, but in my view he plays for himself and seldom for the team. Let him go and lets move on. It would be sad to see him go but lets buy Dean Ashton instead. Nothing wrong with good bish bash bosh centre forwards supported by a strong supproting cast.

[Michael Raheem]

DD, IS THE BEST THING TO HAVE HAPPENED TO CHELSEAFC IN THIS PRESENT DAY. HE IS EVER DETERMINED AND COMMITTED PLAYER CHELSEA FC COULD BOAST OF ANY DAY. DEPARTURE OF THE SPECIAL ONE JOLTED HIM. HE IS NOT A PRETENDER HENCE, HE VOICE OUT HIS MIND. AS FOR RETROGRESSIVE
ELEMENTS WHO SAYS HE IS PLAYING ACTING, THEY ARE EXPECTING HIM TO GET KILL BEFORE REALISING THE KIND OF 'PROFESSIONAL FOUL' COMMITTED AGAINST HIM BY THESE HEARTLESS DEFENDERS WHOM ON MOST OCCASSIONS ENCOURAGE BY THE REFEREES, JUST BECAUSE HE IS VERY STRONG BLACKMAN THEY CAN'T EASLY FELL. I WISH THEY COULD HIRED A RESOURFUL MANAGER WHO WILL PERSUADE HIM TO FOR MORE YEARS AT STAMFORD BRIDGE.

[Ollie]

Drogba has been a great servant for Chelsea....theatrics notwithstanding.If he stays, great and if not, he will be a loss but no one player is indispensable. Villa I feel will be the wrong choice. He would not fit into a 433 formation. Chelsea changing to 442 will be a retrogade step. 442, the English disease....very few top clubs in Europe play the system. It is too restrictive, leaves you exposed in midfield and easily outmanoevred. We really have to get away from the fantasy that a team has to play 442 to be viewed as enterprising and 'expansive.' Barcelona, Real Madrid, Man utd all play what is popularly termed expansive football. None play 442.

[Frank]

“I just wish he was 25 years old. I wish Chelsea has got him before he went to France,”

Its worth remembering that Drogba was a non descript lower league player till he had one good season before moving to Marseille, and he got the chance to play in the Champions league and do well. His first season in the EPL was awful while as others already mentioned, other strikers hit the ground running or at least did look classy for day one.

Though its true his physical style has done well in the EPL, it remains to be seen if he has the ability to deal with the far more cynical Italian defenders or more skilful Spanish counterparts. Chelsea might miss him though with the kind of finance available to Grant, can easily find a far more refined replacement who might show a semblance of gratitude to the club who actually made him an international superstar.

If I was a Chav, i would have wanted him away long ago, as he has demonstrated time and again that he feels far bigger and more important than the club and his colleagues.

[ross]

drogba what a brilliant striker. he epitomised everything good about him in th cl second leg against liverpool strength, power, touch. amazing finishing
(his 2 goals were simply stunning), brilliant in both defense and attack holding the ball up and bringing other players into attack (is there anyone better). in that game and other big games hes shown he is the best striker, however its when hes not interested i.e smaller games or even the 1st liverpool leg where he lets himself down to the point of being almost embarrassing dreadful 1st touch know strength on the ball always falling over and diving continuously. should he stay or should he go for the big games definately, for the small ones (a more frequent occurrance) possibly. if we think of his age and look at the money around 20million then maybe yes but if w look at the massive impact he's had on the big games and who would replace him we should keep him25 million and i think i might be happy

[AB]

play acting, diving, moaning, whinging, attention seeking, cheating, cringeworthy young girl of an embarassment.

Get out of our premiership and stop wasting our time with your ridiculous postering. Just who do you think you are Drogba to believe that any of us are interested in you or your behaviour.

Please leave us in peace and perhaps chelsea can buy a striker who has some pride and acts like a man.

[jimi]

As a gunner's fan, I would be so happy to see the back of drogba - he always tears us a new one, i'l be glad to see the back of him!!

[LeeH]

He was fine when he played for Marseilles. He has gone downhill since. As Rafa Benitez suggested, he still plays well, when he stays on his feet. This was clear in the two CL games against Liverpool: two different Drogbas.

[Chris Tickles]

He should be shot.

[Nik]

Age 30, uncommitted to the club since Mourinho left, huge salary and will generate significant transfer fees.

Given that Grant has the directive to change the style of Chelseas playing to be more attractive, a manner which wont suit Drogba's playing style (in the same way Chelseas current style to suit Drogba doesnt suit Anelka or Shevchenko), I would expect Drogba to be on the way out.

Which is a shame, as come the crunch matches he puts the ball in the back of the net.

It all depends on who the replacement is, and whether the attacking style comes to life...and it will take more than just a new striker to develop that, as it will require more creative flair midfielders than currently on offer - J Cole is one, but hes no Messi. Lampard & Ballack score goals, but its following up the battering ram approach to Drogba - Ballack to adapt to a more cultured play style but maybe not Lampard. The current team is set up for the current method of play, to change it will require significant changes.

[Tony Lusiola]

A great servant to the cause and wish he would stay and carry on, but if he leaves well good luck to him and thank you for the entertainment.

[Paul D]

It's time to go ... Didier.
It's something of a paradox that his immaturity and play acting comes with one of the most powerful team ethics of any striker in the comp. He works so hard at both ends of the pitch. But his first touch is generally horrible and his departure will unlock the door to fresh attacking dimensions for Chelsea. The Blues will miss his game-breaking deeds ... but they will score more goals without him.

[Syed]

Drogba is without a shadow of a doubt the best striker in the Premiership - and probably the world. As far as scoring goals in big matches, and contribution in winning trophies is concerned (which should be the most important goal for any CF - after all, this is a team sport, and winning PFA and sports journalists' awards are second to winning accolades for the football club), he is way ahead from the rest of the pack in our League. Goals in FA Cup Final, Carling Cup Final (scored in all 3 finals), Champions League Semi Final , vital Premiership matches against Arsenal and Liverpool, v Barcelona away at Nou Camp...the list just goes on and on. There's no question at the fact that Chelsea would have won slightly less than 5 trophies in the last 3 years - and would not be competiting in a Champions League Final and in the League title race this year- without Didier. It would be a disaster if Chelsea let go of him, considering the other strikers in the team have been a massive failure (certainly compared with Drogba) - Shevchenko, Anelka and Pizarro. I have a feeling that Villa would do a Morientes at the English league and it would be a waste of time and money to have him at Chelsea. The club should do whatever necessary to keep DD.

[Nick]

drogba has been phenomenal for chelsea -- just look at all their high stakes matches. He's the one that puts the ball in the back of the net. Be it the FA cup last year or the champions league semi against liverpool or the premiership game against man utd. big team, big occasion....big man. finding a replacement at that price is going to be impossible.

[GARY KING]

DIDIER.
HE WAS TERRIBLE IN HIS FIRST YEAR; HOWEVER, WE CAN ATTRIBUTE THAT TO GETTING ACCLIMATED TO THE EPL, ALTHOUGH BERBATOV, SANTA CRUZ, MC CARTHY AND NOTABLY TORRES DID NOT REQUIRE AN APPRENTICESHIP.
HE HAD A FANTASTIC LAST YEAR AND FULLY DESERVED THE ACCOLADES WITH NO REAL PLAY ACTING AND DIVING.
NOW HE'S BACK TO THE THEATRICS FROM HIS FIRST YEAR, HE'S 30 YEARS OLD AND IS CLEARLY NOT COMMITTED TO THE CAUSE, BOTH VERBALLY AND IN THE WAY HE PLAYS.
YES HE CONJURES UP SOME BRILLIANCE NOW AND AGAIN, BUT HE IS NOT THE FORCE HE WAS.
WE HAVE GOT THE BEST OUT OF DROGBA AND NOW IT'S TIME TO TRADE HIM AND FIND A TOP QUALITY STRIKER SUCH AS DAVID VILLA.
IF WE SELL HIM NOW WE COULD GET AROUND 22 MILLION.
IF HE HAS ONE MORE BAD YEAR AND SUFFERS A FEW MORE INJURIES AT AGE 31 WE WOULD BE LUCKY TO GET 12 MILLION.
CHELSEA EX-PAT IN LOS ANGELES GOING TO MOSCOW TO SEE US BEAT THE MANCS!!!!!

[Ciaran]

"If you’re looking for a Big Man with a Good Touch, who just happens to be able to take free kicks, cross well and score from anywhere within 25 yards of goal while simultaneously holding off both Jamie Carragher and Sami Hyppia, the Drog is your man."

Good touch? You cannot seriously be trying to tell me this man's first touch isn't one of the worst in the Premier League?! Because it is.

And as for free kicks, he's of average capability, that is when he has finished spitting his dummy at the in better form Michael Ballack

[Sam]

I just wish he was 25 years old. I wish Chelsea has got him before he went to France, but more than all that I wish he loved that Blue shirt as much as I do.

Sadly, if he still has his mind set on going elsewhere im going to be grateful for one of the most increadible strikers to ever grace the premiership. He symbolizes the Chelsea that has taken Europe by storm, heart hardwork and whole lot of money!

[Barry Saint]

Drogba is undeniably the finest 'big man' centre forward the Premiership has seen since Shearer and i totally agree that it is hard to think of an ample replacement for him in that role, but if Grant (if given the chance) does want to change the teams style of play to a more attractive model i can think of no better place to start. Changing to 4-4-2 to accomodate Anelka and someone like Villa is an exciting prospect!