Didier
Drogba- A tribute to a blues legend
Back
in June 2004, a 26 year old striker named Didier Drogba joined Chelsea from
Olympique Marseille for £24 million. The expectation was high on both Chelsea
and the young Ivorian as he was in demand after an excellent season with the
French side, in which he helped them to the 2003/04 season's UEFA cup. Chelsea
new they had a player with potential, but how much potential, went beyond what
most fans could ever imagine.
His
2004/05 season was a mixed one for the powerful centre forward. He showed some
flashes of brilliance as he helped Chelsea to both the premier league and the
carling cup but he also struggled with injuries and some Chelsea fans became
frustrated with Drogba's attitude and he got a reputation as somewhat of a
diver. All in all, Drogba scored 16 goals in 41 appearances in a blue shirt
during the season.
The
season after, the idea that Drogba was a diver became more widespread and many
Chelsea fans wondered whether if he'd ever improve enough to reach his full
potential. However, he again showed flashes of the form he displayed at
Marseille. He scored 16 goals in 41 games again.
Although
Chelsea didn't win the league like they did in Drogba's first two seasons, the
2006/07 campaign was undoubtedly Drogba's best. During the vast majority of
Chelsea's games, Drogba looked almost like a man possessed. He added his name
to Chelsea's history books with the winning goal in that season's FA cup final
against Manchester United. The season saw a marked improvement in Drogba as he
scored 33 goals in 60 games.
The
season after wasn't quite as good for Drogba as he struggled to cope with the
departure of Jose Mourinho and controversially got sent off in Chelsea's
unsuccessful champions league final match with Manchester United. However, on
his day Drogba was still unstoppable. The season after was again, plagued by
controversial moments including his frosty relationship with Luiz Felipe
Scolari and his reaction to Chelsea's semi final exit to Barcelona. But when
Guus Hiddink became Chelsea's manager in February, Drogba was back to his best.
New
manager Carlo Ancelotti forged a very close relationship with Drogba and this
showed as Drogba's goals earned Chelsea their first premier league title in
four years and earned Drogba the golden boot thanks to his 29 league goals. The
season after wasn't quite as good for Drogba or Chelsea, as he only scored 13
goals.
In
a season where his place was threatened by Fernando Torres, many felt it would
be Drogba's least fulfilling yet. Yet they couldn't be more wrong as Drogba
played an integral role in Chelsea's winning of their very first champions league
title, a trophy Chelsea had been chasing since Drogba joined the club. His
slotting home of the winning penalty in that final will secure his place as one
of Chelsea's greatest ever.
So
thanks Didier, you have become a Chelsea legend. Also, your immense humility
and devotion to improving conditions in your home country make you a great
human being also. On behalf of every Chelsea fan, thank you.