Tag Archives: Drogba

Drogba exit leaves gaping hole at Chelsea

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Chelsea have confirmed their Champions League hero Didier Drogba is leaving the club which, on top of speculation regarding interim boss Roberto Di Matteo and signs of unrest from Fernando Torres, all means it promises to be a busy summer around Stamford Bridge (Chelsea 9/2 – Premier League Outright 2012/13).

It could be said simply that Chelsea would not have won the Champions League on Saturday without Drogba. Adding to the fact it was his goal that beat Barcelona in the first leg at Stamford Bridge in the semi-final before he converted to quite an impressive left-back for long periods of the second leg, it was also Drogba who scored a wonderful header to force extra-time in Munich, and who else but the Ivorian stroked in the winning penalty to send Chelsea fans into delirium and give Roman Abramovich what he has always desired.

That Champions League win, courtesy of Drogba’s right foot from 12 yards, has led every man and his dog to call for Di Matteo, who took over after Andre Villas-Boas (11/4 – Next Permanent Liverpool Manager) was shown the door, to be given the manager’s job properly at Chelsea.

It would be a bold move for the Russian chairman to look elsewhere given the calls for the Italian to get the job. A more realistic vision could be for Di Matteo to get a one-year rolling contract, which means that in 12 months’ time Chelsea could welcome former Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola with open arms if he wants to make a comeback to football following his self-imposed sabbatical.

With Drogba, who himself has been linked with a possible move to Barcelona but could be more likely for a big pay day over with former Blues striking partner Nicolas Anelka in China, going then that could open the door for Torres.

There is no doubt the Spaniard has looked a shadow of his former self since a massive £50 million move but the Chelsea fans have stuck with him as he got his head down and worked hard for the team. Indeed, his form really picked up towards the back end of the season.

But it remains to be seen how faithful they will be to him now after Torres effectively soured the Champions League celebrations by speaking out to Spanish journalist Guillem Balague and criticising how he has been treated.

Torres may wish he had kept his mouth shut as there remains a big chance the team could be fitted around him in the post-Drogba era – if they persevere with him after his outburst.

With the Ivory Coast man leaving that means Torres and Daniel Sturridge, who looked impressive in the first half of the season but then went off the boil and seemed to turn more selfish and frustrating for fans as the campaign went on, remain the leading forwards on the books at Stamford Bridge. And let’s not forget Romelu Lukaku, who made a sum total of eight appearances since signing for £13 million last summer.

Atletico Madrid striker Radamel Falcao and CSKA Moscow’s Seydou Doumbia have been linked to possibly replace Drogba but it remains to be seen how Chelsea’s transfer policy will play out until they confirm a new manager – although they do have a history of signing players without consulting the boss – Andrei Shevchenko springs to mind – and those higher up have seemed to be behind the signings of Marko Marin and Kevin De Bruyne over the last few months.

Chelsea used to be the big powerhouses when it comes to spending but Manchester City (11/8 – Premier League Outright 2012/13) have leapfrogged them over the last two years, and how the Blues would love to be able to splash out on a Sergio Aguero this summer.

They would also dream of someone of the calibre of Arsenal (10/1 – Premier League Outright) striker Robin van Persie, but the Blues will face massive competition if they wish to get a top, top striker. The fact they are Champions League holders will help them when it comes to attracting players this summer, but it would be a masterstroke to get a true replacement for Drogba.

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Drogba can haunt United again

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There are key battles at the top and bottom of the Premier League on Sunday with Arsenal’s trip to Stoke sandwiched between the Black Country derby and the title showdown at Old Trafford.

Wolverhampton Wanderers (23/20)  v West Bromwich Albion (23/10)

Wolves need to make a good start in front of their own supporters at Molineux, but they also must find a way to hold onto a lead after Fulham’s late equaliser denied them two vital points a fortnight ago.

Mick McCarthy’s side were blown away by Stoke City after that when the FA Cup finalists ensured their own safety, but there were encouraging signs in last weekend’s 1-1 draw at St Andrew’s.

Steven Fletcher (5/1 in First Goalscorer) has found the back of the net twice recently, but no-one in the Wolves line-up can match the goalscoring run that West Brom’s Peter Odemwingie is on.

The Nigerian (7/1 to score 2 or more) has scored in each of his last four appearances and his goal against Aston Villa last week made it five in six since the start of March.

Odemwingie’s pace will give McCarthy’s back four kittens and could lead to Wolves not finishing the match with eleven men on the field, although the intense derby atmosphere itself may contribute to that.

Back Odemwingie (5/1) to be the last goalscorer and West Brom (7/2) to score in both halves.

Stoke City (18/5) v Arsenal (8/11)

This is a great time for Arsenal to be playing Stoke City, just a week before Tony Pulis’s side walk out at Wembley for the FA Cup final.

The Gunners will have gained a lot of confidence in beating Manchester United without their captain Cesc Fabregas last week. And they will have to do without him at the Britannia Stadium too, although Aaron Ramsey stepped into the breach admirably on his return to the side.

Ramsey’s memories of breaking his leg on this ground could spur him and his teammates on to another big performance and with Stoke now safe and more concerned with the Cup, Arsenal should win.

The Gunners should still expect a tough match from Pulis’ side, whether he rests a few players or not, and with Arsenal not having kept an away clean sheet since mid-January and Stoke’s record of scoring 19 in their last eight home games – both teams to score looks like a certain outcome.

Back both teams to score (3/4) and Arsenal minus one goal in the Handicap (15/8).

Manchester United (5/4) v Chelsea (11/5)

Chelsea’s recent form is impressive enough to suggest they can make it an away treble on Sunday – if Carlo Ancelotti opts to play Didier Drogba through the middle in a 4-3-3 formation.

All the scribes believe he simply has to drop the misfiring Fernando Torres and return to the formula that has enabled Chelsea to boast a proud recent record at Old Trafford (three wins, two draws and four defeats in the last nine visits).

Last year’s win may have owed a lot to Drogba’s offside winner, but Manchester United were already set-up to be picked off on the counter-attack by Ancelotti’s tacical masterplan.

Wayne Rooney will give hope to the home fans, and Javier hernandez has shown he can trouble the Blues’ ponderous centre backs, but Chelsea’s midfield is stronger and should be good enough to keep the title race going to the finish.

Back Chelsea to win (11/5) and Chelsea 2-1 in the correct score market (10/1).

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Drogba out to fill his boots

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Five players for your Fantasy Football side…

Premier League leaders Chelsea make the trip to St James’ Park on Sunday to take on mid-table Newcastle and star Blues striker Didier Drogba can fill his boots in the north east (Drogba 18/5 – Enhanced First Goalscorer).

The Magpies will be without both of their regular centre-halves – Fabricio Collocini and Mike Williamson – which means Sol Campbell is likely to make his first league start since his free transfer from Arsenal in the summer.

Drogba has had his injury problems this season but has still plundered six top-flight goals and he will surely merit inclusion in any respectable fantasy side this weekend (Chelsea 6/5 – To Keep A Clean Sheet).

Fulham and Birmingham meet at Craven Cottage on Saturday, with neither side hitting their straps in front of goal so far this season.

The Cottagers have managed just nine so far on home soil, while the Blues have bagged one less on their travels so go for either goalkeeper – Ben Foster or Mark Schwarzer – as there is every chance of a low-scoring affair which raises the prospect of clean sheets (8/1 – 0-0 Correct Score).

Everton are still enduring a slow start with their goals largely coming from midfield, but a home game against on-the-slide West Brom means Australian international Tim Cahill can continue his run after bagging seven to date, including three in his last four (Everton 4/7, draw 11/4, WBA 9/2 – 90 Minutes Betting).

Carlos Tevez currently tops the Premier League goal-scoring charts despite a recent thigh injury, although he sat out Argentina’s friendly against Brazil in Doha in a bid to regain full fitness.

The former West Ham and Manchester United crowd favourite comes up against Stoke’s massive back four on Saturday, but he has the ability to make mugs of them, especially if boss Roberto Mancini decides to unleash the pace of Adam Johnson and David Silva in tandem and not fight fire with fire (Tevez 13/2 – To Score 2 or More).

Peter Crouch could complete a three-pronged attack alongside Drogba and Tevez, despite the fact he has struggled for Premier League goals this term.
But Crouch is too good a player to stay quiet for long and can benefit from Jermain Defoe’s return to fitness.

Crouch and Spurs entertain the beanpole’s former club Liverpool at White Hart Lane and the feel-good factor generated by the north Londoners qualifying for the Champions League round of 16, can continue on Sunday.

The Reds mauled a poor West Ham side last weekend but Spurs’ midfield should overpower a Steven Gerrard-less engine room and there will be chances-a-plenty for the home side (Spurs to win 3-1 – 16/1).

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Wilkins relieved to have Drogba

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Chelsea assistant boss Ray Wilkins was pleased to take all three points from a dangerous Arsenal side and praised Didier Drogba for yet another outstanding performance (Chelsea 8/13 Premier League Outright).

The Blues had won their first five top-flight games before losing 1-0 to Manchester City last weekend, but they bounced back in style to beat Arsenal 2-0 at Stamford Bridge and pull four points clear at the top of the Premier League table.

Drogba scored the first goal just before the break before Alex’s powerful free-kick rounded things off in the 85th minute to continue Chelsea’s recent dominance over the Gunners.

The west Londoners took six points from Arsene Wenger’s men last term and their ability to beat their rivals near the top of the table went a long way to securing the Premier league title last season.

Arsenal have enjoyed a mixed start to the season but Wilkins feels they are a team to be respected in the battle for the 2010-11 title.

“Arsenal are one of the teams who scare me because they have the ability to take the ball and keep it,” he said. “I’m glad to get this out of the way and claim the three points.”

Drogba’s latest goal was his 13th in 13 matches against Wenger’s men, but Wilkins feels that his goal-scoring ability is just one part of the African’s all-round contribution to the team effort (Drogba 7/4 to be Premier League Top Scorer).

“Didier is a fantastic player, a world-class striker,” he added. “If you give him an opportunity he will score. Also he is the best forward I have ever seen for coming back and defending.”

A few pundits questioned Chelsea’s early-season position in the table as their first five victories were all against teams expected to finish in the bottom half of the table, and Wilkins admitted that the Blues’ players are taking nothing for granted after the wake-up call at Eastlands.

“We failed in our first test at Manchester City and the lads were distraught at that,” he added. “We put that right against Marseille and today we’ve put in a fantastic performance.

“Last year, I think we were 11 points clear and Manchester United clawed all that back. There’s a lot of football to play. We must remain consistent and keep winning games.”

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Drogba ready to blow away Gunners

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Chelsea striker Didier Drogba says he can’t wait to get out on the pitch to face Arsenal on Sunday as the Ivorian international looks to keep up his incredible scoring record against the Gunners (19/5 to beat Chelsea).

The 32-year-old is expected to return to the Blues starting line-up when Arsenal arrive at Stamford Bridge having sat out the 2-0 victory over Marseille in mid week.

Drogba has been at his imperious best this season as he helped Carlo Ancelotti’s men get off to a flying start, winning their first five Premier League matches before they came unstuck against Manchester City last weekend.

Chelsea looked off colour at Eastlands last Saturday but were somewhere near their best in the Champions League on Tuesday night.

Drogba and his team mates will be licking their lips at the prospect of facing Arsenal having won the last four meetings against their London rivals.

Drogba has been the scourge of Arsenal since he joined Chelsea in 2004, scoring 12 goals in 10 starts and two substitute appearances against Arsene Wenger’s men.

Drogba (5/1 to score two or more against Arsenal) got both goals in last season’s 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge, while also getting a brace at the Emirates Stadium in the 3-0 win.

Last season’s golden boot winner says he is expecting a tough encounter on Sunday given Arsenal’s start to the season, with the Gunners having won four of their first six.

“I can say that I am a bit lucky because I scored a few goals against them,’ he acknowledged.

“Every game is different. I remember some games when we played well against Arsenal, but this one will be a different one, I don’t know how.

“It is a strange start to the season for me, I scored goals and made some assists but I am not really 100 percent yet with the surgery I had in pre-season so it is a bit difficult for me to catch up but I am doing my best and I hope that maybe in one or two weeks I will be better.”

The Gunners (7/1 Premier League outright) are expected to be missing a number of star names for the clash with Robin van Persie, Theo Walcott, Cesc Fabregas, Nicklas Bendtner, Thomas Vermaelen and Manuel Almunia all unavailable.

Chelsea have their own injury problems, although not as bad as Arsenal, with Jose Bosingwa, Yossi Benayoun and Salomon Kalou all out.

Despite the two club’s injury problems fans can still expect Ancelotti and Wenger to name to starting elevens packed with internationals as they look to maintain their push for the Premier League title.

The game is likely to prove to be a good acid test of the pair’s title credentials this season, although Drogba refuses to say a defeat to either side will badly dent their hopes.

“I won’t say [it is] critical because the season is long. Last year Arsenal were 10 points behind us and they came back and they were fighting for the league with three games to go, so it’s going to be a big game, an important game, but not one that will say Chelsea or Arsenal will be champions,” Drogba added.

“I think we can beat anybody but we can also lose against anybody, that’s football and you want to win when you come to the pitch but you never know if you’re going to win or not.”

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Drogba feeling the pressure

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Didier Drogba believes his side are under more pressure to succeed in the World Cup than England.

The 32-year-old picked up an injury in the Mighty Elephants’ warm-up game against Japan after a clash with Tulio. However, his presence is seen as essential to the Ivory Coast’s chances of progressing in the tournament from the ‘Group of Death’ that also includes Brazil, Portugal and North Korea (10/11 to qualify from Group G).

Drogba is seen as the leading light in what is being called the “Mighty Elephants’ Golden Generation” and says that people back home expect them to be able to compete with the top teams.

“The expectation back home is so high, higher than England,” he said.

“Most of our players play for big teams and have won things with big teams. But for the country we have won nothing.”

Ivory Coast go into the tournament with stars such as Solomon Kalou, the Toure brothers and Emmaunel Eboue, and after achieving so much as individuals, the players are now targeting the World Cup as their first chance of International silverware (Ivory Coast 50/1 to win the tournament).

Drogba also believes that the addition of Sven-Goran Eriksson as coach will be a deciding factor in whether or not the Ivory Coast have a successful campaign. Eriksson, who guided England to the quarter-finals in both 2002 and 2006, replaced Vahid Halilhodzic who was sacked in January after a disappointing African Cup of Nations and Drogba believes that the experienced Swede could be the difference between success and failure.

“Eriksson is one of the best managers on the market and has done a lot of good things with the England national team,” added Drogba in an interview on BBC World Service.

“He is a very good professional and with his experience I hope we can beat one or two big teams at the World Cup.

“He knows there is a lot of work to do, that’s why he started very quickly when he got the job.”

The Ivory Coast open their campaign on June 15 against Portugal in Port Elizabeth. They then meet Brazil in Johannesburg and face North Korea in their final group game in Durban.

Kolo Toure, who is set to deputise as skipper in Drogba’s absence, says he couldn’t agree more with the striker’s opinion.

“He’s a top-class manager, one of the best in the world. We have a big chance and a great manager. We might be considered outsiders but we can make it.”

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Drogba injury rocks Ivory Coast

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Ivory Coast (33/1 to win the World Cup) have been rocked by the news that star striker Didier Drogba will miss this summer’s World Cup tournament in South Africa after suffering a broken right arm in a pre-tournament friendly against Japan.

The striker was helped off the pitch having collided with Marcus Tulio Tanaka and according to Manchester City defender Kolo Toure the player’s “World Cup is finished.”

It was originally believed that the player had fractured his right elbow but later reports showed that their was a break in the right arm.

Drogba had scored the Ivoirian’s first goal in the match after his free-kick was deflected past the keeper before he went in for a challenge with Tanaka.

After the match former England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson was very concerned with his star player’s condition he said: “It’s an elbow injury. How bad it is, I don’t know. He had a lot of pain.

“Of course I’m worried. He’s captain and one of the world’s best players,” he added.

Although Eriksson was devastated by the news of the injury, he did not believe that it was a bad challenge by the Japanese player.

He said: “It was unlucky. It wasn’t bad or stupid. He didn’t want to hurt anyone. Football is a game of contact,” added Eriksson.

Drogba is a key player for the African side who have been seen as the strongest team from the continent ahead of the tournament.

The 32-year-old has been a major player for the national side and for his club Chelsea.

The Blues won the Premier League title from rivals Manchester United and were victorious in the final of the FA Cup against Portsmouth.

This was the first domestic double in the club’s 105 year history, a season in which Drogba scored 29 Premier League goals, winning the golden boot award.

Ivory Coast are in Group G also known as the ‘group of death’ as they face Portugal (Ivory Coast 9/4, draw, 23/10, Portugal 11/10 in the match betting), North Korea and Brazil.

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Can Rooney And Drogba Top the Scoring Charts In South Africa

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Drogba V Rooney Premier League 300x185 Can Rooney And Drogba Top the Scoring Charts In South AfricaDidier Drogba and Wayne Rooney fought a season long battle to finish as the Premier League’s top goal scorer. The Chelsea striker just managed to pip the Manchester United man but the two might be back in competition in less than three weeks.

BET ON TH WORLD CUP – TOP SCORER “GOLDEN BOOT”

Both players will be selected as the main striker for their respective countries and if they carry their stunning form into the World Cup, each man is a good bet to win the competition Golden Boot.

Rooney and Drogba both play for teams that have every chance of having a strong competition- an essential to win the Golden Boot. England have one of the easiest groups and while the Ivory Coast are in a tough line up, they will feel it can’t be worse than the ‘Group of Death’ they endured in 2006.

This is the second successive World Cup for the Ivorians and the Elephants have been consistently one of the top African sides for the past decade. They have a group of players who have been together for some time and for the likes of Drogba- who takes huge pride in playing for the national squad- this is a final chance to make an impact in this tournament.

BET ON TH WORLD CUP – TOP SCORER “GOLDEN BOOT”

Rooney is currently second favourite to be top scorer at 12/1; only the peerless Lionel Messi stands above him. It reflects Rooney’s stellar form this season and England’s status as a team expected to go deep into the knockout rounds.

Drogba is an excellent each way value bet at 40/1. The long odds reflect the fact that the Ivorians have to come through a group that includes Brazil and Portugal. However, Drogba and his team mates are well capable of taking on a Portuguese squad that struggled all through qualifying.
If the Ivory Coast do come through it will probably be thanks to goals from their star man. Judged by his late form for Chelsea, Didier Drogba looks ready to give it everything and he’s likely to take all the free kicks and penalties too.

Wayne Rooney has added to his game this season and England will be set up to allow him to roam as he sees fit. Messi may head the odds but Argentina threaten to be a dysfunctional outfit under Diego Maradona, so the England talisman could follow in the footsteps of Gary Lineker in 1986.

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Drogba would welcome Torres

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Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has stated that he would love to play alongside Fernando Torres for the Blues next season (Chelsea 13/8 with totesport to win the 2010/2011 Premier League outright), as speculation continues over the Spaniard’s future.

Drogba netted 29 goals for Chelsea this season after enjoying a flourishing partnership with French international Nicolas Anelka, but the former Marseille man has said that he would welcome a move this summer for the Spanish striker.

The Golden Boot winner stated: “I have heard the talk about Torres maybe coming in and I would welcome it, of course. Every time there is a new player coming here it’s making the club bigger and giving us a lot of strength.

“If there is a chance for him to come he will be welcome, because any help is welcome, he added.

With reports claiming that Liverpool’s debts are in the region of £351.4m and having missed out on Champions League football for next season, talk continues to mount over the possible sale of  star players with Torres their prized asset.

Along with Chelsea, Manchester City have also been linked with the former Ateltico Madrid star and they could lead the chase with their financial backing.  The Blues have not spent the kind of money that the Eastlands club have splashed out in recent seasons, although Chelsea’s continued success may prove a more tempting offer for a player who is yet to win anything during his time at Anfield.

Drogba, the Premier League’s top goalscorer his season, was part of a Chelsea side that scored more than 100 Premier League goals and have not found the back of the net hard to come by.

However, the Ivory Coast striker believes that the club can always improve as they go into their FA Cup final clash with Portsmouth on Saturday (Chelsea 1/5, draw 11/2, Portsmouth 12/1).

The Blues are going for the first League and FA Cup double in their 105-year history and Drogba feels that it would great to win for everyone at the club.

He said: “I want to finish the job this year with the FA Cup final. To win the double would mean a lot to the club and to us as players.”

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Lampard backs Drogba

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Chelsea’s midfield star Frank Lampard believes Didier Drogba will finish the season as the Premier League’s top goalscorer (Drogba 10/11 to be the FA Premier League Top Goalscorer 2009/2010).

The Ivory Coast striker has been in fine form throughout the campaign despite departing for African Cup of Nations duty in January and a number of injury concerns.

Despite missing a number of games for Chelsea this season the 32-year-old has managed to bag 25 Premier League goals this campaign.

The current Premier League top scorer is Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney (Rooney 11/10 be the FA Premier League Top Goalscorer 2009/2010) but the England international looks set to miss the rest of the season with a groin strain, allowing Drogba the opportunity to pip him at the post.

Rooney has scored just one more goal than Drogba, which means if the Stamford Bridge star can find the net twice more in Chelsea’s remaining league fixtures he will end the season as the league’s top scorer.

Lampard is confident his team-mate will manage to overtake Rooney and end the season as the most prolific striker in the Premier League.

He said: “The way Didier played against Stoke is what he’s about, people talk about Rooney being missing and he is the player of the year but we have also lost players for large parts of the season. It all evens itself out.

“Didier wants to be the top scorer in the league, he deserves to be. Let’s hope in the next two games he will score the goals to make him that.”

Chelsea travel to Anfield on Sunday where they will face Liverpool, before their final league fixture of the season where they take on Wigan Athletic at Stamford Bridge.

If the Blues pick up maximum points they will secure the Premier League title (Chelsea 1/2 to secure the Premier League title) as they currently enjoy a one point advantage over second placed Manchester United, with both teams having played the same number of games.

However, it will not be a straightforward task for Carlo Ancelotti’s side, Wigan may have successfully avoided relegation but Liverpool are still in the hunt for fourth spot (Liverpool 14/1 to finish fourth in the FA Premiership Top Four Finish market) and will be a stern test on their home ground.

If Chelsea are to secure their first Premier League title in four years they will need Drogba to be on top form, and with Rooney unlikely to play again this season the Ivorian could well secure the top goalscorer award while helping his side clinch English football’s top prize.

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