http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chelsea-c38786’s Mr. Champions League: Didier Drogba – Champions League special
Chelsea locked heads against Valencia in a crunch Champions League tie last night, eventually emerging 3-0 victors after an entertaining display. Going into this game, the North London club had all to play for: a defeat would have condemned Villas-Boas’
men to Europa League, while only a scoreless draw coupled with a Bayer Leverkusen win against Genk would have sufficed.
The Blues' poor form going into this encounter was a big concern. Though the Blues had just conquered the not-so-mighty Newcastle United, consecutive defeats to http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Arsenal-c38429 in October made for a pessimistic Chelsea
fan base.
However, Chelsea produced one of their best Champions League performances in recent times: defence was solid, midfield fluid and attack coherent. Spearheaded by the beast of a footballer that is http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Didier-Drogba-c11044, Chelsea thumped 3 goals past a hapless Diego
Alves in the http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Valencia-c40863 goal.
Prior to this game, Drogba had only played a bit role in the Blues campaign thus far this season. The 50 million pound signing, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Frank-Lampard-c14097 were
benched. Such a decision in arguably the most important game of the season thus far gives a clear indication of things one should expect from Villas-Boas in the future. That performance comes before reputation now at the bridge. And Drogba will give Torres
little time to complain.
The beastly Ivorian is slowly regaining his match fitness, the agility that bellies his age and physique, and above all the dreaded shooting boots.
“I'm improving slowly but surely. Fitness-wise, I still lost a few important balls tonight and I'm going to work on that and try and improve my fitness so I can play the full 90 minutes. If I was a bit fitter, a bit fresher I could have scored three tonight
but it was good to be part of it again. I love this competition.” Drogba revealed to UEFA.com in the post-match press conference.
And he does really love the Champions League. 44 goals in just 80 European appearances is an envious record for any striker. Compare that to 16 goals the sleeping Spanish beauty has scored in 51 European outings – hardly a comparison, really.
While Villas-Boas can’t afford to form a team around the Ivorian, sad as it might be, Drogba still has plenty to offer, especially in the Champions League. Experience in the elitist of club competitions is a treasure worth paying for. Young http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Daniel-Sturridge-c10076
had tipped the Blues to win based on their ‘big game’ experience prior to the game. And Drogba has just that in bags full.
Not so long ago, at the start of the ongoing season, Drogba was being tipped a finished striker – now 33, age is hardly on his side now. Staying true to their reputation of collecting oldies, AC Milan came calling. But Drogba declined the loan offer, perhaps
in knowledge that he is far from finished at the elite level. If his performance from last night is anything to go by, Chelsea need Drogba more than he needs them.
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