Chelsea legend Didier Drogba has listed Manchester United defenders Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand, and Barcelona pair Gerard Pique and Carles Puyol as his toughest ever opponents.
The former Chelsea striker, who notched 104 goals in 254 Premier League appearances, retired from playing last week but will be considered one of the finest strikers to grace England’s top tier.
Who gave Drogba his biggest problems? Five key things to know…
- Drogba made a name for himself as one of the best striker in world football during his 16-year professional career.
- In that time, the Ivorian represented a number of Europe’s biggest clubs including Marseille, Chelsea and Galatasaray.
- The striker officially announced his retirement last week, at 40, having finished his career in the United States with Phoenix Rising – who he co-owns.
- And, looking back on his successful career, Drogba highlighted the duos of Gerard Pique and Carles Puyol, and Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand as his toughest opponents.
- Drogba scored just four goals in 21 appearances against Manchester United during his career.
Drogba was capable of giving the sturdiest defenders the jitters with his predatory form in front of goal, but the 40-year-old has faced some serious competition over the years.
And, speaking on Soccer AM, Drogba revealed who he considers to be his toughest opponents: “Vidic and Ferdinand or Pique and Puyol.
“I would say Pique because our battles were always really really tough but they were all big guys, top players and class.”
Drogba also talked about his best goals, finding it difficult to pick out one clear winner – as there was so many to choose from – before settling on two very different efforts.
— Didier Drogba (@didierdrogba) November 21, 2018
“It’s very difficult. The most important… the Champions League final one, the header!
“The best is the one against Liverpool, when I chested the ball with [Jamie] Carragher behind and with the left foot. [Pepe] Reina didn’t expect or see it.”
The Ivorian wound down his career with a tour of North America where he spent two seasons in Canada with Montreal Impact, scoring 23 goals in 43 appearances and finally with Phoenix Rising in the States where the 40-year-old notched an impressive 17 goals in 26 appearances.
Drogba eyeing up managerial career
After finishing his career as a player, Drogba has admitted he will now turn his attention to football management after being inspired by former Chelsea teammates such as Frank Lampard who is enjoying modest success in the Championship with Derby County.
“I think I’ve met enough managers to make it possible,” Drogba added.
“I worked with a lot of managers, different skills, approaches of the game and I’ve played with a lot of very good players, clever players who understand the game.”
“Lampard – who is managing – Terry, Ballack… all these guys. You learn a lot and you experience so many things and you’re thinking, ‘oh if that could be an option, why not?’ I think I could do well.”
The post Didier Drogba names Man United and Barcelona duos as his toughest opponents appeared first on Squawka News.
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