Didier Drogba: A Tribute

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.

Euro 2012 group D key players

Group D

This Friday, Poland and Greece will begin Euro 2012 in Warsaw in front of approximately 50,000 fans. So in honour of the beginning of world football’s most captivating events, I will be going through the key players and possible ‘’it factors’’ for each team, group by group. Here’s group D.

Sweden: Zlatan Ibrahimovic

After Sweden’s failure to qualify for the 2010 world cup in South Africa, the talismanic Swedish striker decided to quit the national team. However, due to persuasion from the newly appointed Sweden manager Erik Hamren, the AC Milan striker decided to make a return to the national team, and what an inspired decision it was as Ibrahimovic scored an impressive 5 goals in 8 Euro 2012 qualifying games. With a solid mix of youth and experience around him, Ibrahimovic is Sweden’s undisputed best player. Whether he can produce the performances to help Sweden get through this tough group remains to be seen.

Ukraine: Anatoliy Tymoschuk

If Ukraine are to spring a surprise, and progress beyond the group stages at their very own tournament, they will need a lot of determined, strong willed players. Now who better to provide this than Anatoliy Tymoschuk? The Ukrainian captain has done well in all of his three seasons at European giants Bayern Munich so he is comfortable in high pressure situations. Tymoschuk is a highly versatile player, who can play at centre back, as well as his more favoured position in the centre of midfield. A good tournament will surely make Tymoschuk a national hero in Ukraine.

England: Joe Hart

For the past six years, Wayne Rooney has been England’s most feared and vital player. However, due to suspension, the Manchester United number 10 will miss England’s first two games against France and Sweden respectively. Instead, England will require another key player and that man is Joe Hart. Hart has had a magnificent season with premier league title winners Manchester City, with many calling him the league’s best goalkeeper and one of the world’s best. This is Hart’s first tournament as England’s first choice goalkeeper and many are tipping him as a future England captain. A good Euro 2012 will only add to this idea.

France: Karim Benzema

When Raymond Domenech left the Real Madrid striker out of France’s world cup 2010 squad, many were surprised. However after a truly dreadful tournament from France, new manager Laurent Blanc had to create a better French side and Benzema is at the heart of it. Benzema had a magnificent 2011/12 season as his 21 goals helped Real Madrid win La Liga, their first in five years. Arguably more than any other player in the tournament, Benzema will arrive in Poland and Ukraine brimming with confidence, and could very well inspire France to a magnificent tournament.

Euro 2012 Group C key players

Group C

Spain- Xavi Hernandez

If Spain emerge triumphant, they will become the first team ever to win the euros, a world cup, and then another euros within three years. In both of these previous tournament wins, central midfielder Xavi has been an integral part of the Spain side due to his passing and organization skills, which summarize the philosophy of the Barcelona academy Xavi came from. However, with reliable goalscorer David Villa missing the tournament due to injury, Xavi may be required to chip in with more than just assists.

Italy- Andrea Pirlo

This time last year, Andrea Pirlo had just left AC Milan to join Juventus with many people thinking that at the age of 33 he was in the twilight of his career and past his peak. However, his spectacular performances in the 2011/12 season went a long way to helping the Turin side win the Scudetto with him chipping in with 13 assists, the most in the entire league. If the central midfield maestro can replicate this form it could give Italy’s strikers; Giampaolo Pazzini, Antonio Cassano and Mario Balotelli plenty of chances, which could lead to the Italians going far in the tournament.

Croatia- Luka Modric

In many people’s estimations, Luka Modric is the beating heart of Croatia’s team. Much like Andrea Pirlo with Italy, Modric will be expected to produce his trademark excellent passes for the Croatian strikers, namely fellow premier league player Nikica Jelavic and former Arsenal striker Eduardo. The dynamic central midfielder has a great deal of expectation on his hands, but if he can produce the sort of performances he did at Euro 2008, where he helped Croatia to get an unexpected quarter final place, it could allow Croatia to get out of a very tough group. Another impressive tournament could lead to Tottenham losing the in-demand player.

Republic of Ireland- Shay Given

Being the team who are widely considered as the weakest in the group, Ireland will most likely have a lot of defending to do at Euro 2012. However, luckily for the Irish, they have an outstanding goalkeeper in Shay Given. The 36 year-old will want to make this tournament special as due to his age it will likely be his last European championship. The Aston Villa number one has been in the premier league for an impressive 15 years and has faced numerous world class players. If Ireland can counter attack well, they may cause an upset and progress from their group.

Euro 2012 key players: Group B

On Friday 8^th June, Poland and Greece will begin Euro 2012 in Warsaw in front of approximately 50,000 fans. So in honour of the beginning of world football’s most captivating events, I will be going through the key players and possible ‘’it factors’’ for each team, group by group. Here’s group B.

Netherlands: Robin Van Persie

After a truly brilliant 2011/12 season in which he won the premier league’s prestigious golden boot award with 30 goals, Van Persie will begin Euro 2012 as one of Europe’s most feared strikers. The Oranje are considered by many to be one of the best teams in the tournament after getting to the world cup final in 2010, and due to their excellent qualifying campaign, where they picked up 27 points out of a possible 30. With players around him such as Wesley Sneijder, Dirk Kuyt, Klaas Jan Huntelaar and Eljero Elia, Van Persie should get plenty of chances. If he manages to bury a few of them, he could very well lead the Dutch to Euro glory.

Portugal: Cristiano Ronaldo

Perhaps more than any other team at Euro 2012, Portugal will be relying on one man’s form if they want to do well: and that man is Real Madrid striker Cristiano Ronaldo. The former Manchester United man is unquestionably one of the world’s top players and possesses incredible pace, a ferocious shot, great heading ability and a bag full of tricks to rival any player in a world. Portugal will need Ronaldo to be at his very best if they want to progress through the ‘’group of death’’ in which they are in.

Germany: Bastian Schweinsteiger

Germany’s final appearance at Euro 2008 was largely due to the excellent performances by combative central midfielder, Bastian Schweinsteiger. However, the emergence of young, determined players such as Sami Khedira, Mesut Ozil and Thomas Muller means the 27 year old will be one of Germany’s more experienced players at Euro 2012. If Germany are to go far and possibly win Euro 2012, it will likely be down to the determination and exceptional leadership of the Bayern Munich man.

Denmark: Christian Eriksen

For the last two seasons, the 20 year old Ajax man has developed into one of Europe’s most exciting young talents. In fact, such is the hype surrounding the youngster; some have even gone on record as saying he is Denmark’s best young talents since the Laudrup brothers; Michael and Brian. Having played in every single one of Denmark’s qualifying games, Danish coach Morten Olsen clearly doesn’t view the attacking midfielder as being too inexperienced. If Eriksen’s creativity and skill helps Denmark advance through their incredibly difficult group, it could lead to the 20 year old moving to another top European side.

Euro 2012 key players: Group A

Group A

This Friday, Poland and Greece will begin Euro 2012 in Warsaw in front of approximately 50,000 fans. So in honour of the beginning of world football’s most captivating events, I will be going through the key players and possible ‘’it factors’’ for each team, group by group. Here’s group A.

Poland- Wojciech Sczcesny

The Arsenal shot stopper has added some much needed stability to the Gunners defence this season as he has got better and better throughout the course of the season. The 21 year old is arguably Poland's most recognized player and if he is able to keep a few clean sheets against the likes of Russia, perhaps Poland will cause an upset and advance to the quarter finals. 

Greece- Giorgos Karagounis

At age 35, this will almost certainly be Karagounis’ swansong on the international stage, and he will be determined to make it special. And the word ‘’determined” perfectly sums up the Panathinikos man as he wears his heart on his proverbial sleeve for both club and country. Having played in all ten of Greece’s qualifying matches for the tournament; Greece will rely on their central midfielder to instill the values of Greece’s astonishing Euro 2004 win, a team that Karagounis was an integral part of.

Russia- Roman Pavlyuchenko

Four years ago, at Euro 2008, Roman Pavlyuchenko truly arrived on the international stage, as he helped Russia to a surprise semi-final place, in the process scoring three goals. Due to his work at the tournament, the Russian was signed by Tottenham for £14 million. Now, with Russia being placed in a relatively easy group alongside the Czech Republic, Greece and co-hosts Poland, Pavlyuchenko has a great chance to help Russia to a quarter final, and maybe even a semi-final place. The expectation is higher on the Lokomotiv Moscow this year, but with the likes of Andrey Arshavin and Yuri Zhirkov around him, he should impress again.

Czech Republic- Petr Cech

There can be no better way to enter a European tournament than to have just won the champions league with your club side, and that’s exactly what the Czech Republic’s goalkeeper, Petr Cech has done with Chelsea. The Czech’s may well look to Chelsea’s heroics for inspiration, as with an ageing squad, their chances of a semi-final appearance like the one they had in 2004, look slim. But with Cech in goal, a man largely considered one of the world’s top five goalkeepers, and a group in which they look likely to progress from, you never know. 

So who do you think will get through this group? Leave a comment as I’d be interested to know.   

Ryan Bertrand: Chelsea and England’s future Left back?

Just over a week ago, 22 year old Ryan Bertrand made his first ever European appearance in the most elaborate way possible, in the champions league final. Bertrand lasted 74 minutes in the match, as he gave an assured performance, and he certainly wasn’t overawed by the occasion, as many feared. So where does the youngster go from here?

Loan deals

Bertrand left his first club Gillingham to go to Chelsea at age 16, for a small fee of £125,000. After an impressive first season in Chelsea’s youth team, Chelsea decided to loan Bertrand out to Bournemouth, Oldham and Norwich, in that order where his organization and position skills impressed the technical staff at each club.

After these successful loan spells, in summer 2009, Chelsea decided it was time to put Bertrand up a level to promotion chasing Reading. Chelsea’s choice proved to be an inspiring one with Bertrand being a regular starter, and in the meantime scored his first ever professional goal. His brilliant season was highlighted as he finished third in the voting for Reading’s player of the season. He spent the first half of the 2010/11 season at another highly respected club, Nottingham Forest, where he again impressed.

His time at Chelsea

When the left back returned to Chelsea in January 2011, he knew it was time to step up. His first appearance in the blues’ first team was in a 3-1 home win over Birmingham City in April. Despite only playing for the last thirty minutes, Bertrand got an assist and must have impressed the Chelsea hierarchy as in July 2011; Chelsea signed him to a four year contract, proving the blues have faith in his talent and feel that keeping him is imperative to their potential future success. His 2011/12 season saw him make 14 appearances and due to the sale of Yuri Zhirkov, he became Chelsea’s back-up to the magnificent Ashley Cole.

Now do I foresee Ryan Bertrand overstepping Ashley Cole anytime soon? No, Cole is simply too good. But with Cole turning 32 later this year, Chelsea will have to look for a younger replacement, and Bertrand is the perfect candidate. The Englishman’s reading of the game and his versatility (he can play left wing too) means Chelsea need not rush into the transfer market, as they have one already on the books, and he cost just over £125,000. 

Manchester United 2-0 Swansea

Manchester United ensured that the premier league title race would still go down to the final day after a comfortable 2-0 win over Swansea at Old Trafford.

The first half began with relative dominance from Manchester united with Valencia and Young receiving plenty of the ball. Unsurprisingly, United had the game's first meaningful chance when Michel Vorm denied first Evra, then Rooney.

The home side took the lead with 27 minutes played after some excellent work by Valencia on the right, who then pulled it back for Michael Carrick, whose shot was turned in by Paul Scholes from about two yards out.

United nearly doubled their lead one minute later with Valencia's low driven cross reaching Hernandez, however Manchester United's number fourteen was unable to get his shot away.

Five minutes before the half time whistle, Ashley Young made it two after sweeping strike into the left hand corner of the net. In fact, it could have been 3-0 at half time as Chris Smalling's glancing header went wide.

In the second half United created yet more chances. After a Swansea corner, Valencia passed to Rooney, whose pass was crucially intercepted by Nathan Dyer. If not for Dyer's intervention, Ashley Young would have had an open goal.

Swansea were not being pinned back in their own half for the entire match however. On the 59th minute, a Scott Sinclair shot deflected off Danny Graham's boot and nearly wrong-footed David De Gea. The swans proved they were not afraid of united and were willing to try and score.

With 20 minutes remaining, Wayne Rooney was put through by Michael Carrick but the England striker put it wide of the target. Despite continuing to dominate possession however, United didn’t create many chances in the last twenty minutes.

All in all, United really should have scored more than two, with Hernandez in particular missing a few decent opportunities. With more clinical finishing, perhaps United would be in pole position, but for now, they’ll need QPR to produce a major shock next Sunday at the Etihad, as well as themselves beating Sunderland at the Stadium of light. It’s unlikely but Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester United will not give the title up before it’s officially over.