Date: 23rd November 2011 at 11:00pm
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Since joining from Marseille in 2004, Didier Drogba has become somewhat of a figurehead of the Chelsea attack. The Ivorian Striker has accumulated close to 150 goals in all competitions for the club and is fast approaching the sought-after 100th Premier League goal. But with his advancing years, aged 33, and the introduction of new competition like Fernando Torres and Daniel Sturridge to the team, how much longer can Drogba continue to show his dominance in the English top tier?

It was in the 2006/7 season when he first began to show himself to be a leading star in the striking talent on offer in the Premier League and across Europe, one that was here to stay. Known at first for his strength, power and tenacious attitude, his lethal finishing was soon much revered as he won the golden boot by scoring 20 league goals. Since then he lead the Chelsea line in a confident and authoritative manor, with the ability to change games and inspire his team to victory.

This was none more prominent than in the 2009/10 season where he topped the scoring charts once more, with 29 goals, to lead Chelsea to another league title. It looked as though the Blue army of Chelsea, lead by their goal-machine talisman, would be a formidable force for any European team to contend with for years to come.

However, I can’t help but feel that Drogba has lost some of the spark and inspiration to his play in today’s side. He no longer seems to be able to lead the team from the front and drive them forward in difficult times. Chelsea’s recent 2-1 defeat to Liverpool seemed like exactly the type of game that Didier would have grabbed by the scruff of the neck and taken control of a couple of seasons ago.
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The game was tight and hotly contested, as games between these two sides usually are, but Chelsea lacked that moment of genius and Drogba didn’t appear to be the main candidate to turn the tie in the home team’s favour. His physical presence doesn’t seem to be as dominating and effective as it once was, and his lethal snap shot that was once so venomous, is rarely seen these days. The man the team looked for to grab the goals in crucial games and create chances out of nothing, appears to slowly be losing his influence and impact in the team.

The introduction of Fernando Torres helped Drogba about as much as it helped Chelsea, to be blunt. Didier commanded that spot at the head of Chelsea’s attack and opponents feared the prospect of having to contend with him in and around their penalty area. The system worked so well and was well rehearsed, with Drogba having maximum impact in the right areas on the pitch. His role in the team and the momentum he built up from scoring goals meant that he could keep up his form and continue to impress. When Torres was brought in, that changed. He was no longer guaranteed a first team place, and the balance and momentum was disrupted.

Drogba had started the 2010/11 season brightly, but the apparent need from fans for a marquee signing, prompted the arrival of stiff competition for Drogba. Dispite Torres’ lack of goals, the club obviously continued to have faith in their £50million Spanish striker, a period of time which I think sealed the end to Drogba’s peak. Sturridge was given opportunities to shine and the fact that he has similar attributes to Drogba in that he in an explosive and strong goalscorer, meant that Didier had to deal with more comparisons and competition for starts.

It doesn’t seem like he will be given the same opportunity to score 30 goals a season, a feat which can only really be achieved by one player who is the focal point of the team. Building up such a reputation can become a double-edged sword because any dip in form or lack of goals is amplified. I don’t think Drogba has lost his natural ability, but with the break up in momentum and lack of continuity, I think the Ivorian has had his time in the limelight.

By Harry Boulton for This Is Football

 

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