The Pride of London
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Chelsea’s top six all-time best players from Africa

By Kevin Peacock

LONDON - NOVEMBER 12: Didier Drogba of Chelsea celebrates his opening goal with Salomon Kalou of Chelsea during the Carling Cup Fourth Round match between Chelsea and Burnley at Stamford Bridge on November 12, 2008 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
LONDON - NOVEMBER 12: Didier Drogba of Chelsea celebrates his opening goal with Salomon Kalou of Chelsea during the Carling Cup Fourth Round match between Chelsea and Burnley at Stamford Bridge on November 12, 2008 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 24: Didier Drogba of Chelsea celebrates with fans and the trophy after the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Sunderland at Stamford Bridge on May 24, 2015 in London, England. Chelsea were crowned Premier League champions. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 24: Didier Drogba of Chelsea celebrates with fans and the trophy after the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Sunderland at Stamford Bridge on May 24, 2015 in London, England. Chelsea were crowned Premier League champions. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /

Didier Drogba

Chelsea appearances (goals): 381 (164)

Didier Drogba arrived at Stamford Bridge just prior to the start of the 2004-05 season. He signed from Marseille for £24 million, and was one of the first players to arrive following Jose Mourinho’s appointment as manager.

Drogba’s first season at Chelsea was, at best, difficult. He frustrated supporters and irritated the media and opposition as he struggled to come to terms with Premier League football. His style of play was littered with controversies that involved diving, cheating and play-acting.

For Mourinho, though, Drogba was the perfect striker. The two of them were a match made in heaven. Drogba’s passion, commitment and application matched the Special One’s winning mentality. Their first two seasons at Stamford Bridge delivered two Premier League titles.

Despite Mourinho’s subsequent departure, Didier Drogba went from strength to strength, and he took Chelsea with him. His eight years with the Blues saw him collect a plethora of plaudits and a train of trophies, which would fill a page alone.

Drogba’s ultimate achievement for the Blues came on May 19, 2012, date etched into the mind of Chelsea fans and supporters worldwide. In the Allianz Arena, home of German champions Bayern Munich, Chelsea were trailing 1-0 in the Champions League final. With just two minutes of the game remaining Juan Mata aimed a corner at the near post, and an Ivorian possessed met it at full strength. Manuel Neuer in the Bayern goal could only parry the ball into the net.

The game went to extra-time and then to penalties. As Drogba stroked the final penalty past the German goalkeeper, he wrote himself into Chelsea’s history book for ever more. Just three days after that victory, Chelsea released a statement saying the Ivorian would leave the club when his contract expired at the end of June.

Drogba went on to play in China and Turkey before joining up with Jose Mourinho at Stamford Bridge for a one season swan-song in 2014/15. It was a chance to say goodbye to his adoring fans, and in true Mourinho and Drogba style, resulted in a League Cup final victory over Tottenham and the ubiquitous Premier League title.

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