15 years after Didier Drogba joined and Chelsea still have not matched him

Didier Drogba joined Chelsea 15 years ago and the Blues are still looking for a player that can replicate his iconic status at Stamford Bridge.

It seems odd to say when Didier Drogba’s name, image, and status is ever present at Chelsea but the former player is very much from another age. He was largely an unknown when he joined the Blues and his first season left many wanting. Even his age, already 26, would have caused many to raise eyebrows. These days, all of that would be an automatic declaration of being a “flop” and nothing he could do would change the notion. Luckily for fans, Drogba was in the era before Twitter group think decided to write a player off permanently.

What followed that first poorer season in Blue was nothing short of amazing. 164 goals in 381 appearances with almost every goal feeling like it won a trophy. But it was not just the goals; it was the sheer tenacity to give everything for the team. Drogba became Chelsea and Chelsea became Drogba’s.

Chelsea has struggled to replace the legends of that time but none feel as gaping of a hole as up top. The Blues are still searching for the next Drogba 15 years after he joined.

Drogba never truly began to slow down but there was a belief growing that his style of striker was going the way of the dinosaur. Fernando Torres was brought in to become the club’s new talisman. It did not work despite the club bending over backwards in the market and with managerial appointments to make it work.

But it was not just the play on the field that Chelsea missed; they missed Drogba’s leadership and ability to make others better. His return to Stamford Bridge after a few years away was not as a starter but as an important member of Jose Mourinho’s inner circle. Drogba added more silverware to his cabinet before departing once again, leaving the Blues searching for someone to take his throne.

Diego Costa was also there that season and so far, he has been the closest to replicating Drogba’s status. But it is hard not to remember Costa with rose tinted glasses. For every run of form he found, he found a drought just as long. The back end of both title winning seasons with Costa saw the player go into a rut and his exit should leave a sour taste. After trying to leave mid season in a title run, Costa played the victim when told he could leave the following summer. He eventually got his wish.

Alvaro Morata started hot but faded as back injuries and off the field issues ate away at his confidence. His first season was not what was needed, much like Drogba’s, but a new era meant he had little chance to win people back over. Mind, he did little to try the following season but in a match where he scored twice, the story was about the two chances he missed. A new age had reached football.

Now Chelsea is at a crossroads. Drogba’s former teammate Frank Lampard is back and tasked with putting a Chelsea way (back?) together. His options are Olivier Giroud, Michy Batshuayi, and Tammy Abraham. The former has been fun, but he is too old to truly live up to Drogba’s image. The former two could in time. Batshuayi has had a similarly rough start to life at Chelsea and is eager to prove himself. Abraham is much younger and still needs to show his Championship goals can translate to Premier League goals.

The shadow of Drogba still looms over the Bridge, just like Frank Lampard’s and John Terry’s and Petr Cech’s. The Blues have been searching for new versions of all of them but Drogba’s has proved the hardest to replace. 15 years from the day Drogba joined the Blues, the club is still on the hunt for someone that can take his throne.

Through the slip ups and false dawns of previous strikers, Chelsea now turns to a new crop hoping to finally have their striker fit to wear Drogba’s crown.