Ducky’s Note: Rathna Prashanth looks at a novel way to solve Torres’ striking problem. By getting rid of Drogba!
Legend, proven goal scorer, leader on the pitch- these are some of the terms that describe the powerful Ivorian Drogba, aka the Top Dog of the Bridge. At 150 goals and still counting, not only has he been an amazing goalscorer for Chelsea, he has also been a tremendous athlete. Only a very few can match his feat at a short span of time.
Having said all that though, has the time come for Chelsea to sell the Drog? I would have to say, Yes.
Ancelotti was spot-on
The former Chelsea boss was critical and prudent about the assessment of Drogba.
“Take Torres and the crisis he has lived through there. I now know if you decide to invest strongly in him, you have to sell Drogba. Didier is like Filippo Inzaghi was at AC Milan. He simply devours any competition. It’s not that he’s evil – nor was Inzaghi – it’s just the way they are.”
To sum it up, Drogba ‘kills’ all his competitors at Chelsea for place in the starting lineup. 5 strikers previously have fallen victim to the drog, if you follow that argument – Schevshenko, Mutu, Crespo, Gudjohnsen and Anelka (played out wide to accomodate Drogba). We can only guess as to how much impact all these unlucky strikers could have made at Chelsea if they there had been no Drogba around.
Another one bites the dust
Ancelotti’s quote is spot on. You can’t play Torres as second fiddle to Drogba, or vice versa.
Time to be economically prudent
Drogba’s contract is expiring in 2012. Contract negotiations between the two parties are not going smooth and has broken down two weeks back. Drogba doesn’t want a one year extension that he’s being offered, but a two year one instead. With the January window about to conclude, it may be prudent and wise on Chelsea’s part side to cash in on Drogba, rather than let him leave for free eventually. His age isn’t helping either. Though an late bloomer, Drogs this season has been blowing hot and cold, with the only consistent thing about him being his inconsistency. At 33 years old, he probably has just has an year or two in his tank. This would the right opportunity for Chelsea to sell him and get more youngsters some match time, especially Lukaku.
Power base?
This legend has a power base at Chelsea, and can influenze any player in the squad, and beyond as well! There have been suggestions that the main culprit behind Luiz Felipe Scolari’s downfall was Drogba’s pressure. I fell that the time has come for AVB to flex his muscle and install his own philosophies at the club. I mean, isn’t that what he was brought in to do? Selling of Drogba would probably mean great manager power and autonomy, akin to teams like ManU and Arsenal
Fernando!
Save the 50 million invested in him! Well, 50 million pounds is not small money. Its time AVB starts installing confidence in Torres, otherwise the player would be a flop. Build a team around Torres and Chelsea will start winning. Drogba has been a hindrance to the way Chelsea play, because the team that is being played now was built around him! Its time to give the 27 year-old a chance, and he would shine.
Keep the blues flag high and flying !