Sunderland's Asamoah Gyan tells of admiration for Chelsea's Didier Drogba
Sunderland striker Asamoah Gyan has spoken of his admiration for Chelsea’s star forward Didier Drogba.
Both players have been nominated for the 2010 African Footballer of the Year award and, while Ghana international Gyan said that he believes he deserves to win the accolade, he hailed Drogba as his inspiration.
According to KickOffGhana.com, Gyan — who has also been nominated for the FIFA Ballon d’Or — said that: “I have done very well this year at club level, at the (2010 African Cup of Nations) and the 2010 FIFA World Cup too.
“Watching my statistics this year, I think I deserve it. Talking of Didier Drogba, (he) has been my inspiration. He spoke to me when I was heavily criticized during the 2008 Nations Cup and told me to keep going.”
Inter Milan and Cameroon attack Samuel Eto’o is also among the 10 players shortlisted for the honour and while Gyan says that he is not yet playing at the same level as Drogba and Eto’o at their best, he is worthy of winning the award.
'I want to be like Drogba and Eto'o one day'
He added that: “Eto’o is a legend but this year has been my year and even they would agree. I am nowhere near them overall and want to be like them one day, but this year; I have played well to deserve the title.”
Gyan arrived at Sunderland over the summer after putting in a string of impressive performances for his country at the World Cup in South Africa. Sunderland boss Steve Bruce paid a club record fee of over £13m for the forward and the decision has already
begun to reap dividends.
The striker has netted three goals in eight English Premier League games, including both goals in the 2-0 victory over Stoke City on Saturday, 6 November — a game which was also Gyan's first start for the club.
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