Chelsea FC’s veteran striker Didier Drogba proved he can still contribute to the Blues’ cause as he scored against Manchester United in the Premier League. He is firmly the third option for Jose Mourinho but because of some terrible injury luck, Drogba was called in to the starting lineup and like he has done so many times in a Chelsea shirt, he delivered a big time goal in an important match.
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Didier Drogba’s performance against Manchester United was not vintage in terms of work rate and sheer pace but at 36 years old it is hard to imagine him doing what he used to do five or ten years ago. He still put in tremendous effort and was vital to the Chelsea defense on corners and set pieces because of his legendary heading ability. What was vintage was the power and hold up play that he brings to the table and that is something he may never lose.
Jose Mourinho on the return of King Didier Drogba and what he can bring to the club:
"“It felt like the arrival of a king. Even I call him that. He can play a key role but we have to build the profile of that key role. A key role is not only to play 50 matches in a season or to play every two or three days for 90 minutes of each game. A key role can be to be there when a team needs a player to be there. For this, Didier was always a fantastic example.At the age of 36 and with so many years of experience, he has got even better. Everybody knew he was coming. We were in Austria but every player was aware of what was going on. The ones that know him from before have him in their hearts, they know the guy he is. For the other kids that arrived at the club after Didier’s departure – Oscar, Willian, Eden Hazard – they understand the meaning of the player to this football club and they were keen to meet the man who made history.”Source: Daily Star"
In the play right before his goal, Drogba linked up with Eden Hazard on an incredible display of football around the Manchester United box to set the Belgian free on goal. Hazard should have buried his chance but it was irrelevant as Drogba rose to the occasion on the ensuing corner to power the Blues ahead. The goal was vintage Drogba and it was nearly a mirror opposite of his famous goal against Bayern Munich in the 2012 Champions League Final.
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With that performance, Drogba was able to roll back the clock and show to all those that doubted his return to Chelsea FC that he can still perform when called upon. He is past the age when he can put in this sort of performance two or three times a week but when the pressure is on, who better than Didier Drogba to answer the call?
Here is the goal from Didier Drogba:
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