EPL’s Biggest Loss – Didier Yves Drogba Tébily

With reports claiming that Shanghai Shenhua have now signed the former Chelsea forward, how big a chasm he leaves behind for his team and the English Premier League to fill is the question. Drogba has proven himself to be one of the finest strikers around and his track record bears witness.

The Cote d’Ivoire captain wanted to leave on a high, and there is none comparable to a victory in the UEFA Champions League final. He has fulfilled his promise to Abramovich and has now moved on to what seems to be a cashing in for the future. That, however, cannot be looked at in a negative light as a greying Drogba has only followed suit with the best of footballers like Thierry Henry and David Beckham, other than the fact that he chose the exact opposite side of the globe.

Before Chelsea

Arsene Wenger had reportedly once said that he had the golden opportunity to sign the Ivory Coast international for as little as £ 1 million from the French Second Division side, Le Mans. But nothing worked out and Drogba found his way to Guingamp and then Marseille. He scored a total of 39 goals in 80 appearances for both the clubs from 2002 to 2004. It was in the 2004-05 season that Chelsea decided to cast their net and find their number 11.

At Chelsea

Drogba arrived for a sum of £24 million in the same season that they won the Premiership. He has scored over a 100 goals for the club from 2004 through 2012 and then decided to call it a day; following which Chelsea issued a statement saying that the striker would be parting ways at the end of his contract in June 2012. His record at the Wembley has made every outing there a spectacle and his rant remains one of the most watched videos on online portals. Didier Drogba is certainly a legend in his own right, and Chelsea will have a hard time replacing him.

His Contribution

A quick glance at Drogba can tell you how physically strong he is. Even at the age of 34, his powerful disposition was hard to miss in the last season. He gave defenders the shivers the moment he started his rampage towards the net. He has swiftly swatted the best of the back line with his immense presence and his goals are proof. He has the uncanny ability to hold the ball in precarious places and possession is a strong factor in a football game. His reactions coupled with his sense of movement have created many breath-taking goals. His presence of mind sets him apart in the field, with the exception of being in the presence of a camera.

Even Drogba’s strength in the air is commendable which he follows up with clinical finishing. A quick runner, his stamina has helped him see through many a game. At Chelsea, he had the luxury of balls being fed to him akin to Henry’s presence in the invincibles.

Closer to the end of his Chelsea tenure, he found competition in Sturridge and Torres, and found fewer starts. He played 24 games in the Premier League and that is paltry compared to the 36 he did the season before last. But Torres’ lack of finishing saw Drogba rise to the occasion once more and he signed off with a goal in the dying minutes of the Champions’ League regulation time. Eventually winning the Big Ears, Drogba has finally found himself at peace with himself and he is all set to explore other (read greener) pastures.

Now how Chelsea cope is completely another question and maybe Roberto di Matteo might have the answer. Or maybe he won’t. But all said and done, Drogba has left the English Premier League for good; at least the back line can heave a sigh of relief.