Drogba’s Decisiveness Proves Key for Up-and-Coming Goalscorers


Drogba’s Decisiveness Proves Key for Up-and-Coming Goalscorers


Ben Sutherland

It’s looking increasingly likely that Montreal Impact will lose their prolific marquee striker, Didier Drogba, with the Ivorian set to return to the English Premier League with Chelsea in a potential coaching role. But who knows, doesn’t seem like Drogba wants to stop scoring goals just yet and retire.

Following Jose Mourinho’s sacking, Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich and new interim head coach Guus Hiddink have made it known they want to take Drogba back to Stamford Bridge as part of the coaching staff.

This would mean the veteran striker bringing a premature end to his time in Canada with the Impact. Mourinho, viewed as a master tactician, long used Drogba to bounce ideas off, and the veteran striker could well be lined up as a future head coach by Abramovich.

The experienced striker honed his remarkable technique and soccer skills during his childhood in France having made the move from the Ivory Coast as a five-year-old. And it’s been that grounding that has been the platform for one of the best careers of any African player in recent times. As well as his clear physical attributes, Drogba’s talent with the soccer ball at his feet, especially for man well over six feet tall, has been the difference between him being a decent forward and one of the world’s most consistent goalscorers over the past decade.

Montreal fans certainly saw all the African’s talent last season despite his advancing years, and there weren’t many MLS defenders who had what it takes to keep the powerful Drogba quiet, with the striker scoring 11 goals in the regular season. The loss of their marquee man would no doubt play a part how the team performs if he does leave.

One thing that Drogba has also been known to do, funny enough, is draw fouls and try to get players carded – not the best quality but still part of the modern game.

Drogba’s still known more for his powerful headers, long-range thunderbolts and delicate finishes, Montreal’s marquee man scored goals of every shape during his time in Canada.

Here are three classic Drogba goals during his time in the MLS. Although he didn’t play in the league for long, he made his mark.

Header: Heading has always been a huge part of Drogba’s game and while some other aspects of the striker’s arsenal might have diminished somewhat in recent years, his aerial ability has remained. The forward’s first of three goals in the

2-1 victory over the Chicago Fire was a classic Drogba goal, finding room in the box with his strength and powering a header past the goalkeeper.

 

Poacher’s Goal: It didn’t take long for Drogba to establish himself as a firm fan favourite in Montreal, scoring a hat-trick in his MLS debut in the

4-3 victory over Chicago. And if there was any doubt as to what the African would bring to the club, his first goal was a perfect example of Drogba’s game. After muscling the defender off the ball, the striker used his predatory instinct to poke home his first goal for the Impact.

 

Wonder Goal: It isn’t just in and around the box where Drogba is a threat to opposition goals, and his free-kick against DC United was evidence of just what the African can do from distance. Lining up the ball around 30 yards from goal, the forward needed only a short run-up before combining both power and precision to bend the ball into the top corner.