Chelsea's Didier Drogba believes that Samuel Eto'o has matured in recent seasons, while revealing his admiration for the current Barcelona side that remind him of the team that won the Champions League three years ago.
The Chelsea forward was asked for his thoughts on Barcelona and their Cameroonian star Eto'o, who has yet to commit himself to a new contract at Camp Nou.
Last summer Drogba was one name put forward to replace Eto'o when it appeared that Pep Guardiola was preparing to sell the former Mallorca star and replace him.
"He has grown up with his behaviour. Two or three years ago he would have reacted badly to what happened last summer," Drogba told Sportsweek.
"Now he is much calmer. He is more mature."
Drogba has been impressed with Barcelona as well as Eto'o and thinks that they have a team that are reminiscent of the side that tasted European glory in 2006.
"The team is, quite frankly, impressive. The great players that they have are playing as a team and they are very effective," he continued.
"They remind me of the Barça side that won the Champions League in the Stade de France.
"[Lionel] Messi has replaced Ronaldinho and at present he is one of the best forwards in Europe, if not the best."
Showing posts with label Didier Drogba. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Didier Drogba. Show all posts
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Manchester City Want Didier Drogba
According to The Sun, mega-rich Manchester City are preparing a £15 million swoop for Chelsea's unsettled forward, Didier Drogba.
The Sky Blues are in need of an out-and-out striker, as the likes of Jo, Benjani and the injured Valeri Bojinov have failed to make much of an impression at Eastlands.
City boss Mark Hughes has long wanted Roque Santa Cruz to lead the line, but Blackburn Rovers continue to jack up the price on the Paraguayan hitman.
Thus, 'Sparky' has begun scouting out other potential targets, and it is thought his new favorite currently resides on the fringes at Stamford Bridge.
Drogba has fallen out of favor at Chelsea this season, as a combination of off-field drama and Nicolas Anelka's red-hot form have seen him relegated to second choice in the club's one-striker system.
Indeed, following a meek display in the Blues' recent defeat to Manchester United, the Ivorian was banished to the reserves and missed out on the FA Cup replay with Southend United.
He was also excluded from the squad for last weekend's narrow win over Stoke City, with youngsters Miroslav Stoch and Franco di Santo filling the bench instead.
There has been considerable speculation as to where the 30-year-old's future lies, with former club Olympique Marseille touted as a likely destination, but Luiz Felipe Scolari has dismissed those rumors.
However, the Chelsea manager could be tempted by the possibility of a swap deal involving Robinho, with Drogba replacing Anelka in the supposed four-man trade reported yesterday involving Florent Malouda, Salomon Kalou and Alex.
It remains to be seen whether Robinho is eligible to move this month, but it is nonetheless highly unlikely that City would swap him for a player who, on paper, seems an ideal strike-partner for the samba star.
The Sky Blues are in need of an out-and-out striker, as the likes of Jo, Benjani and the injured Valeri Bojinov have failed to make much of an impression at Eastlands.
City boss Mark Hughes has long wanted Roque Santa Cruz to lead the line, but Blackburn Rovers continue to jack up the price on the Paraguayan hitman.
Thus, 'Sparky' has begun scouting out other potential targets, and it is thought his new favorite currently resides on the fringes at Stamford Bridge.
Drogba has fallen out of favor at Chelsea this season, as a combination of off-field drama and Nicolas Anelka's red-hot form have seen him relegated to second choice in the club's one-striker system.
Indeed, following a meek display in the Blues' recent defeat to Manchester United, the Ivorian was banished to the reserves and missed out on the FA Cup replay with Southend United.
He was also excluded from the squad for last weekend's narrow win over Stoke City, with youngsters Miroslav Stoch and Franco di Santo filling the bench instead.
There has been considerable speculation as to where the 30-year-old's future lies, with former club Olympique Marseille touted as a likely destination, but Luiz Felipe Scolari has dismissed those rumors.
However, the Chelsea manager could be tempted by the possibility of a swap deal involving Robinho, with Drogba replacing Anelka in the supposed four-man trade reported yesterday involving Florent Malouda, Salomon Kalou and Alex.
It remains to be seen whether Robinho is eligible to move this month, but it is nonetheless highly unlikely that City would swap him for a player who, on paper, seems an ideal strike-partner for the samba star.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Top Ten African Players Of 2008
10. Jon Mikel Obi (Nigeria & Chelsea)
The young midfielder showed some battling qualities many thought he did not have at the Nations Cup, where the Super Eagles barely made it to the last eight. Many predicted that he would not have a future at Chelsea following the shock departure of Jose Mourinho, but Avram Grant kept faith with him and this season Luiz Felipe Scolari has given him even more responsibilities, which he has relished in the absence of the injured Michael Essien.
9. Mohamed Zidan (Egypt & Hamburger SV/Borussia Dortmund)
He was unsettled at German Bundesliga outfit Hamburg last season, but his switch to Borussia Dortmund has seen him prove his class. He has already matched his three-goal tally for Humburg last season at Dortmund in just seven games. He was outstanding in his Nations Cup debut in Ghana, showing what a clinical and classy finisher he is, with two superbly struck goals in Egypt's opening group game against mighty Cameroon.
8. Frederic Kanoute (Mali & Sevilla)
He was named Africa's top star for 2007 by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in Lome, Togo - only because Drogba failed to attend the awards, being just next door in Ghana with Ivory Coast participating in the Nations Cup. Mali partly owe Kanoute their comeback after they failed miserably in the qualifers for the 2006 World Cup and so did not feature at the 2006 Nations Cup in Egypt.
7. Sulley Muntari (Ghana & Portsmouth/Inter)
The Ghana midfielder is back the familiar terrain of Italy, after leaving Udinese for a season at Portsmouth, where he won an FA Cup winners' medal. He has settled down at star-studded Inter without too much trouble. Earlier in the year, he played a major part for his country, too, as Nations Cup hosts Ghana went as far as the semi-finals, despite losing the inspirational Stephen Appiah through injury before the competition had even begun.
6. Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast/Chelsea)
Injuries and controversies made sure that the big man failed to match his performance of the 2006/07 season, when he was far and away the best African player. He has yet to reach his high standards again but when he does, it will be to the benefit of both club and country. Still, performed well for Chelsea and proved an asset whenever he was in the team.
5. Michael Essien (Ghana & Chelsea)
The former Lyon midfielder came into his own last season at Stamford Bridge, as Chelsea reached their first-ever UEFA Champions League final. He was also the heart and soul of an average Ghana Black Stars side that exceeded many expectations to reach the last four of the Nations Cup they hosted in February.
4. Amr Zaki (Egypt & Zamalek/Wigan Athletic)
Egyptian players are not known to be great travellers, but this Zamalek centre-forward has already made a success of his second shot at glory in Europe with some cracking goals for modest Wigan in the English Premier League. It is little wonder that he has now been linked with some of Europe's top guns by the time his loan deal at Wigan runs out, though Steve Bruce is understandably eager to keep the goal machine at the JJB Stadium.
However, it was his five-star showing at the Nations Cup that really got the world to take notice. He scored thrice as well as taught an Ivorian back-four complete with Arsenal's Kolo Toure a football lesson in the semi-finals of the tournament. Egypt went on to claim their second Nations Cup in a row.
3. Emmanuel Adebayor (Togo & Arsenal)
Filled the goal-scoring void left by French legend Therry Henry at Arsenal last season by scoring 30 goals in all competitions. However, the Gunners failed to land any piece of silverware. He has also kept Togo in the reckoning for a second World Cup finals appearance after putting four goals past Swaziland.
2. Samuel Eto'o (Cameroon & Barcelona)
Barcelona did not win anything last term and even wanted to make the Cameroonian star one of the scapegoats for this, but the three-time African Player of the Year has since proved he still knows his way to goal, with an incredible 14 goals in La liga already. Last season he was hampered by injury and even came close to leaving Camp Nou this summer.
At the Nations Cup in Ghana, he put to rest the all-time scoring record of 14 goals set by Ivorian striker Laurent Pokou by scoring a total of 16 and counting.
1. Mohamed Aboutrika (Egypt & Al Ahly)
He was the continent's best player in 2008. He may still be playing his club football in Africa, but no one can doubt the quality of this attacking midfielder, who has made it a habit to score the important goals - whether for his club Al Ahly or the Egyptian national team.
He scored the goal that won the Pharaohs the Nations Cup in Accra for an unprecedented sixth time and has been the heart of an average Ahly team, as they also won an unprecedented sixth Champions trophy. Besides these accomplishments, this 30-year-old has shown great consistency at the top since 2005.
The young midfielder showed some battling qualities many thought he did not have at the Nations Cup, where the Super Eagles barely made it to the last eight. Many predicted that he would not have a future at Chelsea following the shock departure of Jose Mourinho, but Avram Grant kept faith with him and this season Luiz Felipe Scolari has given him even more responsibilities, which he has relished in the absence of the injured Michael Essien.
9. Mohamed Zidan (Egypt & Hamburger SV/Borussia Dortmund)
He was unsettled at German Bundesliga outfit Hamburg last season, but his switch to Borussia Dortmund has seen him prove his class. He has already matched his three-goal tally for Humburg last season at Dortmund in just seven games. He was outstanding in his Nations Cup debut in Ghana, showing what a clinical and classy finisher he is, with two superbly struck goals in Egypt's opening group game against mighty Cameroon.
8. Frederic Kanoute (Mali & Sevilla)
He was named Africa's top star for 2007 by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in Lome, Togo - only because Drogba failed to attend the awards, being just next door in Ghana with Ivory Coast participating in the Nations Cup. Mali partly owe Kanoute their comeback after they failed miserably in the qualifers for the 2006 World Cup and so did not feature at the 2006 Nations Cup in Egypt.
7. Sulley Muntari (Ghana & Portsmouth/Inter)
The Ghana midfielder is back the familiar terrain of Italy, after leaving Udinese for a season at Portsmouth, where he won an FA Cup winners' medal. He has settled down at star-studded Inter without too much trouble. Earlier in the year, he played a major part for his country, too, as Nations Cup hosts Ghana went as far as the semi-finals, despite losing the inspirational Stephen Appiah through injury before the competition had even begun.
6. Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast/Chelsea)
Injuries and controversies made sure that the big man failed to match his performance of the 2006/07 season, when he was far and away the best African player. He has yet to reach his high standards again but when he does, it will be to the benefit of both club and country. Still, performed well for Chelsea and proved an asset whenever he was in the team.
5. Michael Essien (Ghana & Chelsea)
The former Lyon midfielder came into his own last season at Stamford Bridge, as Chelsea reached their first-ever UEFA Champions League final. He was also the heart and soul of an average Ghana Black Stars side that exceeded many expectations to reach the last four of the Nations Cup they hosted in February.
4. Amr Zaki (Egypt & Zamalek/Wigan Athletic)
Egyptian players are not known to be great travellers, but this Zamalek centre-forward has already made a success of his second shot at glory in Europe with some cracking goals for modest Wigan in the English Premier League. It is little wonder that he has now been linked with some of Europe's top guns by the time his loan deal at Wigan runs out, though Steve Bruce is understandably eager to keep the goal machine at the JJB Stadium.
However, it was his five-star showing at the Nations Cup that really got the world to take notice. He scored thrice as well as taught an Ivorian back-four complete with Arsenal's Kolo Toure a football lesson in the semi-finals of the tournament. Egypt went on to claim their second Nations Cup in a row.
3. Emmanuel Adebayor (Togo & Arsenal)
Filled the goal-scoring void left by French legend Therry Henry at Arsenal last season by scoring 30 goals in all competitions. However, the Gunners failed to land any piece of silverware. He has also kept Togo in the reckoning for a second World Cup finals appearance after putting four goals past Swaziland.
2. Samuel Eto'o (Cameroon & Barcelona)
Barcelona did not win anything last term and even wanted to make the Cameroonian star one of the scapegoats for this, but the three-time African Player of the Year has since proved he still knows his way to goal, with an incredible 14 goals in La liga already. Last season he was hampered by injury and even came close to leaving Camp Nou this summer.
At the Nations Cup in Ghana, he put to rest the all-time scoring record of 14 goals set by Ivorian striker Laurent Pokou by scoring a total of 16 and counting.
1. Mohamed Aboutrika (Egypt & Al Ahly)
He was the continent's best player in 2008. He may still be playing his club football in Africa, but no one can doubt the quality of this attacking midfielder, who has made it a habit to score the important goals - whether for his club Al Ahly or the Egyptian national team.
He scored the goal that won the Pharaohs the Nations Cup in Accra for an unprecedented sixth time and has been the heart of an average Ahly team, as they also won an unprecedented sixth Champions trophy. Besides these accomplishments, this 30-year-old has shown great consistency at the top since 2005.
Friday, December 26, 2008
Scolari: Drogba & Anelka Aren't Gelling
Fitting Nicolas Anelka and Didier Drogba into the same Chelsea team was always going to be problematic. The two strikers both like to be the main man up front, with both preferring to operate as an out-and-out striker rather than in a supporting role or wide on the flanks. In addition, neither player particularly likes being benched.
Their styles as forwards do not necessarily complement each other either, and both Avram Grant and his successor as Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari have struggled to integrate them into the same line-up. Now Scolari has revealed that he has experimented using both strikers as a partnership, but has enjoyed limited success.
"It has been good sometimes but not good at other times," said Scolari, reflecting on the time spent in training on working on the partnership.
"It's 50-50. But this period has been better for the group. They are trying more than before to understand what positions I want them to be in. It has improved and evolved more in the last 15 days."
Anelka is reportedly keen to play in a 4-4-2 with Drogba, but Scolari doesn't feel that much has been gained from the training experiment, other than a slight increase in the flexibility of the side.
"They know more now. They have more confidence than before if they change (the formation) during the game," the Brazilian continued, before adding that more strikers does not necessarily mean more goals, and a lack of goals is often the coach's rather than the players' fault.
"Sometimes you put five players up front but the ball does not arrive there. If they make mistakes, it's my mistake because I give the orders. It's the same with left backs and right backs when they go forward, try to dribble and try to shoot," the Brazilian continued.
Time on the pitch as a partnership has been limited for Anelka and Drogba, amounting to little more than a handful of second-half minutes in five games. With Drogba's season so far shortened by injury and suspension, Anelka has gone about his business and become the Premier League's top goalscorer, netting 14 times in 17 appearances.
Drogba, meanwhile, is yet to score a league goal this season, and is regularly linked with moves away from Stamford Bridge, with the names of Inter Milan and Jose Mourinho cropping up regularly in the rumour mill..
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Mourinho: Inter's Adriano/Drogba Switch With Chelsea Won't Happen
Speculation has been rife regarding a potential January swap deal which would take Chelsea striker Didier Drogba and Inter forward Adriano in opposite directions.
The pair are unsettled at their respective clubs and some feel they would both benefit from the switch. Drogba would, of course, hook up with mentor Jose Mourinho in Italy, while Adriano has been unsettled this season and a fresh start could be needed.
However, former Blues boss Mourinho has rubbished the reports.
Speaking to Sky Sports News, the Portuguese tactician said: "That is not true - it is merely speculation. No way - zero percent.
"At this moment, Adriano has nothing in his hands. We think he will be here on January 2 to work with us.
"Maybe he is not happy at living in an atmosphere that doesn't suit him, but he is a top player and I cannot open my door for him to go unless I have somebody to replace him."
Refusing to rule out an eventual move for Ivorian ace Drogba, who is working his way back into the Stamford Bridge fold after an injury-hit season, the 'Special One' added: "One day, if Didier has a clear situation [with Chelsea] - a club I love - and he is on his way out, then the door will be open for him.
"Everybody knows that he is one of my men and it won't matter which club I am managing."
The pair are unsettled at their respective clubs and some feel they would both benefit from the switch. Drogba would, of course, hook up with mentor Jose Mourinho in Italy, while Adriano has been unsettled this season and a fresh start could be needed.
However, former Blues boss Mourinho has rubbished the reports.
Speaking to Sky Sports News, the Portuguese tactician said: "That is not true - it is merely speculation. No way - zero percent.
"At this moment, Adriano has nothing in his hands. We think he will be here on January 2 to work with us.
"Maybe he is not happy at living in an atmosphere that doesn't suit him, but he is a top player and I cannot open my door for him to go unless I have somebody to replace him."
Refusing to rule out an eventual move for Ivorian ace Drogba, who is working his way back into the Stamford Bridge fold after an injury-hit season, the 'Special One' added: "One day, if Didier has a clear situation [with Chelsea] - a club I love - and he is on his way out, then the door will be open for him.
"Everybody knows that he is one of my men and it won't matter which club I am managing."
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