Didier Drogba was arguably the most complete centre-forward in European football at his best, a signing who redefined expectations for players in his position. Unplayable during his finest seasons at Chelseathe Ivorian was a forward who occupied backlines singlehandedly, a freakish force of Herculean strength, physicality, and goalscoring prowess.
Embed from Getty Images. What proved to be the key addition however was Drogba, a powerhouse player who had shot to prominence following a spectacular season at Marseille. Drogba scored 32 goals in all competitions as Marseille reached the UEFA Cup final, scoring decisive goals as Liverpool, Inter Milan and Newcastle were all eliminated on route to the showpiece.
Drogba was raw and relatively untested at the highest level, but Chelsea had unearthed a footballer who would have a transformative impact upon their fortunes. His first season saw the Ivorian contribute 10 league goals as Chelsea were crowned champions, ending a year wait for title success as their new-look side conquered the Premier League.
An indifferent period in the post-Mourinho era saw Abramovich turn to Blandade frågor experienced Italian, his task simple — to win and to win in style. Drogba ensured the Ancelotti era got up and running with a brace on the opening day of the season, scoring twice as Chelsea came from behind to snatch a late win against Hull in the capital.
His first — a dipping free-kick from distance — levelled the scores before the break, before an exquisite chipped finish from an acute angle snatched a stoppage-time win for the hosts. Chelsea opened the season with six successive wins and the imperious Ivorian was the catalyst behind their charge, netting five goals including a lashed left-footed finish at Stoke.
Having found success with a pragmatic approach previously, Chelsea were cantering onwards with one of the most fun-filled sides of the Premier League era. Arsenal felt the full force of a player operating at the peak of his considerable powers in October, the Emirates left silenced and stunned as Drogba ran riot.
A man who loved a goal against Arsenal: didierdrogba. There was an inevitable menace whenever Drogba faced the Gunners, his devastating derby double enhancing his record to 10 goals in just nine appearances against Arsenal. That latter goal saw Drogba come off the bench to score a crucial — if contentious — second at Old Trafford, a goal that allowed Chelsea to leapfrog their opponents in the title race and swing the Premier League pendulum back in their favour.
Drogba was an unruly scourge of Premier League backlines, a hulking specimen with minacious intent when it came to dismantling defences. Far from the proverbial school-yard bully however, he was intelligent in his movement and possessed a touch and technique that ensured he compiled a catalogue of spectacular strikes.
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