Cometh the Hour, Cometh the Man: Didier Drogba

Didier Drogba has been subject of much criticism since coming back from the African Cup of Nations, even among Chelsea faithful.

I won’t lie, this even came from me.

I was sort of upset that he was unable to produce during the Carling Cup Final against Tottenham. I knew though, that much of this was because of the support he received from the wings, Nicolas Anelka.

I also don’t blame Anelka because playing on the wing is not his natural position. That is a managerial problem.

Drogba also had a poor starting performance on Sunday against Arsenal.

He had bad touches, he looked hurt, and he couldn’t get much of anything going. It looked like just another one of those whiny matches from Drogba.

Arsenal had scored their goal from Sagna and many people had just thought the game was in the books and Chelsea’s 76 match unbeaten streak at Stamford Bridge was set to be broken by the team that last won at Stamford Bridge in 2004.

Grant, then, made some questionable substitutions—like most of his have been lately.

He subbed Makelele and Ballack for Anelka and Belletti. Maka had done much of what he always does, breaking apart plays. Ballack had done a fairly decent job distributing the ball and also had a close free-kick.

I thought Lampard should have come off, as he was having a poor game.

Maybe Grant showed some compassion as Capello was watching in the stands. Terry had a monster of a game in centre back shutting out Adebayor and anyone else in the air.

Then, the man-of-the-match stepped up, demanding balls his way. He pumped his team up and received many quality chances from Joe Cole. From then, he took over, just ask Arsenal’s stingy defense.

There was no stopping him.

Three defenders would attempt to get in the way of his shots and another one all over his body. He still managed to put two behind the net and should have gotten a third.

At that point, he silenced all critics.

James Sherman, from Footy Show on the Score, before the game called Drogba the most overrated player in Europe.

I dare him to call him that after that game.

His best friend Fernando Torres can score all the goals he wants against Middlesbrough and Derby County, but Drogba does it when it matters. He got clutch goals on Liverpool, Arsenal, and Barcelona, not relegation squads.

I know he will be leaving the Bridge at the end of the season. I’ve come to accept it. I just really wish there was some way to change his mind. He will always be loved just like Mourinho in Stamford Bridge and among Chelsea faithful.

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