The passage of time from Didier Drogba’s opening goal in the Carling Cup game against Burnley, and the resumption of play afterwards, summed up the Ivorian’s character and temperament in a nutshell.
Played through by a Frank Lampard pass, he left two defenders behind and hit an expert finish into the net. It was a flash of the deadly player that had scored 33 goals in the 2006/2007 season.
Then, he revealed his less savoury side.
Picking up a coin thrown from the Burnley end of the ground he then threw it back in.
Consequently, Drogba has been charged with violent conduct and faces a ban. Jamie Carragher was handed a three game suspension when he did the same against Arsenal in 2002, and so Drogba should expect the same.
- B/R Ticket Guide
If I’m being honest, when it comes to Didier Drogba, such behaviour doesn’t surprise me.
He has always had that sort of side to his game. When he’s up for it and on form he is unplayable, but he turn and become a petulant liability that seems to act first and think later.
This is what he did when he slapped Nemanja Vidic in the 2008 Champions League Final. Provoked he may have been, but Drogba should have kept his emotions in check and focused on winning the game. Referees (rightly or wrongly) will give a red card for such an offence.
Drogba has always been a player who wears his heart on his sleeve. He can get quite emotional on the field, and sometimes this manifests itself in a positive way. He will cajole the crowd and fire them up and it seems to make him up his performance levels a bit more.
He has destroyed teams and changed games.
At Anfield in October 2006 he stole the show by setting up all four of Chelsea’s goals in an extraordinary 4-1 win against Liverpool. It was one of the best performances from a centre-forward I have ever seen. Drogba has scored goals in Carling and FA Cup finals, and always seems to turn it on against Arsenal.
But, unfortunately for Chelsea fans it seems as if he wont be able to repeat that feat due to another schizophrenic outburst that tempers his status as one of the best strikers in world football.
comments (4) write a comment »
write a new comment
about 1 month ago
As much as I think Drogba was wrong for throwing the coin back into the crowd, he was provoked and in the heat of the moment his instincts took over. It's being made into something bigger because of it being Drogba, who yes I agree does not exactly set a good example at times. Maybe Zola has a point, we don't know what abuse was aimed at Drogba, maybe it was racial. He apologised immediately and hopefully you're right Alan, he'll only get a three match ban. Yes he should be punished but if he gets any more than three matches and if the fan isn't found and banned for life it will be a bit of a joke in my opinion.
from about 1 month ago
He was provoked but I think players should try to keep their emotions in check. Yes they're human beings, but they know that they will be punished if they do react. It is a bit unfair, but it's the reality at the moment.
Thanks for commenting Emma.
from about 1 month ago
Emma, Drogba was a bloody idiot for throwing that coin back! He isn't exactly firing all cylinders, so a tiny hiccup could be forgiven is he? His season so far has been stop-start, so throwing it back and risking another spell on sidelines isn't exacly clever is it?
As much as I admire Drogba, he can be a bloody twat sometimes.
Oh and Alan, Good article mate!
about 1 month ago
Thanks Jermaine. I know Drogba isn't very well liked by opposition fans and even some Chelsea fans, but I'm in the camp that can put up with his histrionics because he is such a good player for us. He can be a bit foolish at times but I think he's the best in the world at what he does.
write a new comment