If Scolari Keeps His 4-5-1, Would You Prefer Anelka or Drogba?

"Big Phil" Scolari has an enviable problem. A dilemma in selection for which he deserves no sympathy. If the Chelsea manager keeps his 4-5-1 tactics, who should play up front?

As Drogba looks set for a full Premier League return, Anelka may soon regret a missed opportunity to stake his claim for a place in the starting line-up.

Whilst his name is currently no stranger to the score sheet, familiarity would be more appropriate had Anelka not been so wasteful in front of goal.

Dare I mention his woeful miss at Stamford Bridge last Sunday?

Statistically, Anelka is poor. Nicolas Anelka’s goal return for Chelsea has so far been less than impressive. Yet it is somewhat unfair to criticise a player played largely out of position during the majority of his tenure. Had Drogba been fit for the start of the current Premier League campaign however, the Ivorian would have more than likely been first choice.

So whilst it may be premature to evaluate Anelka’s statistics, to ignore Drogba’s would be a disservice.

Drogba achieved a goal to minute ratio second only to Thierry Henry in his first season. He became overall Premier League assist leader in his second. He found the net 33 times and was crowned African Player of the Year in his third, and in his fourth, scored half the goals in half the time of his previously monumental season.

A season nonetheless, disrupted by injury and tainted by the time spent mourning Mourinho’s exit.

Put simply, if Didier Drogba is fit, Didier Drogba should play. Not before he has proven his commitment to the cause, however, and shown a desire to recapture previous form. Chelsea need a striker firing on all cylinders and the most likely candidate, provided he can overcome a very public desire to leave, is Drogba.

Anelka is beginning to show some signs of promise. Whilst confined to the flanks on Sunday after Drogba‘s introduction, Anelka caused the returning Gary Neville a fair few problems.

Anelka’s quality is undoubted and both he and Drogba hold the ball up well. Yet it is Drogba’s physical presence and general impact that sets him apart. For players similar in stature, perhaps Nicolas Anelka is the more balanced, displaying an ability (or preference?) to remain on his feet.

The competition for places may yet bring out the best in both strikers as did Andriy Shevchenko’s presence in Drogba’s 33 goal season. Drogba himself pointed towards the introduction of a 4-4-2 for his sparkling form.

It is therefore somewhat ironic that the same system could well bring out the best in both Anelka and Drogba should they be allowed to spearhead the attack.

Anelka is improving, yet missed chances suggest fans—and Scolari—believe the grass is greener under Drogba’s boots. Should Anelka find the form which prompted his move away from Bolton, then “Le Sulk” may yet put a smile on many a Chelsea fans face.

Should Drogba resume first team duty too early, then the implications for both players confidence are negative. Drogba may assume he deserves the role rather than striving to earn it.

Competition between the two may yet bring out the best in both, yet the candidate best suited to Chelsea’s system is a mentally and physically fit Drogba.