Drogba netted 164 goals in 381 games for Chelsea and won four Premier League titles, four FA Cups and the 2011-12 UEFA Champions League.
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On this day in 2004, Chelsea signed a relatively unknown striker from Marseille for 24 million pounds – which was considered a premium 17 years ago – and even the owner Roman Abramovich had his doubts. Didier Drogba, No. 11 was a perfect no 9. During his 8 seasons with Chelsea, he went from strength to strength. He showed the world why he was considered among the best strikers back then and why he deserved to be given legendary status. His pace, dribbling skills, strength, power, work ethic is something to be learnt from.
Didier Drogba ? Wembley Stadium
Happy birthday, @didierdrogba ?
Mr. Cup Final ? #WembleyMemories | #TBT | #CFC pic.twitter.com/N4HEgUHp6z
— Wembley Stadium (@wembleystadium) March 11, 2021
Drogba was a Jose Mourinho signing. He moved to Chelsea in 2004 from French club Marseille. The following season, he and his Chelsea teammates helped Chelsea to win the League title for the first time in 50 years ending Arsenal and Manchester United’s duopoly. That season, the Chelsea team amassed a then record 95 points, most wins of 29, fewest goals conceded with 15.
Jose Mourinho often spoke about how he was able to bring a 26-year-old Drogba to Stamford Bridge.
“Drogba is the kind of guy who is so loyal that he never forgot that I took him from Marseille to the Premier League, where he was not even expected,” the manager said in January.
“He had already played for Guingamp, Marseille, Le Mans, so when I took him to Chelsea I remember clearly Abramovich was asking me, ‘Who? Who do you want as a striker?’
“With all the big names in Europe at that time, I said Drogba. ‘Who is he? Where’s he playing?’ I said ‘Mr Abramovich – pay. pay, and don’t speak.’
“Abramovich was asking me, ‘Who?'”
Mourinho on convincing the Chelsea owner to sign Didier Drogba!#beINMourinho #beINAFC #AsianCup2019 pic.twitter.com/dwA5vakJoh
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_EN) January 17, 2019
Clearly Abramovich was not completely aware of who he was spending his money on.
Drogba lived up to his fee and more, though, playing a key role in numerous Chelsea triumphs as they established themselves among Europe’s superpowers following Abramovich’s purchase of the club in 2003.
He scored 16 goals in the 2004-05 and 2005-06 seasons in which Chelsea won the League title two years in a row. In the 2006-07 season, Drogba finished top scorer of the Premier League with 20 goals, scoring 30 goals in all competitions that season. Even though Chelsea failed to defend their EPL title for a third consecutive season, Drogba played a key role in Chelsea winning the FA Cup and League Cup title that season, scoring the winning goals in both finals.
Drogba was like a fox in the box and very confident in his ability. He had a quick temper though which showed itself in matches.
Didier has an enviable record of scoring important goals in big games, which became a personal trademark of his. In 10 cup finals, he scored 10 goals. 4 of those came in 4 FA Cup final games, a record he still holds for most goals by a player in a final.
?? Chelsea signed Didier Drogba from Marseille #OTD in 2004 ?
Things worked out pretty well…#UCL | @didierdrogba pic.twitter.com/J9AKWEnHwV
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) July 20, 2021
One of the most memorable goals came in the 2012 UEFA Champions League Final against Bayern Munich. What made it so special was that it was his final game as a Chelsea player during his first stint.
With just two minutes remaining and Chelsea trailing 1-0, he scored a powerful header to level the score. This forced extra time and Chelsea went on to win on penalties, with Drogba scoring the winning spot-kick.
Some of his teammates used to say that he would be a different animal in preparation for big games. It goes to show that he had extra motivation to shine on the big stage.
After All, Drogba played a huge part in establishing Chelsea as one of the biggest clubs in the world and in doing so, also made himself a club legend who fans won’t ever forget.
