Didier Drogba’s legacy at Chelsea is the stuff of legend.
The Ivorian striker was the beating coronary heart of the Blues’ golden period, a colossus who mixed energy, talent and an unparalleled potential to rise to the event when it mattered most, most notably within the 2012 Champions League last, the place his unforgettable efficiency helped the Blues carry the trophy for the primary time.
A decade after his departure, Chelsea are nonetheless craving for a successor able to replicating his impression on and off the pitch.
The membership has seen a revolving door of strikers within the post-Drogba period, and whereas some akin to Diego Costa loved stable careers at Stamford Bridge, nobody has been capable of totally step into the legendary striker’s sneakers.
From younger prodigies already making their mark in west London to established European stars, we have a look at 5 gamers we expect have the potential to take up Drogba’s mantle at Stamford Bridge.
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1
Nicolas Jackson
Chelsea
Nicolas Jackson, who Chelsea signed from Villarreal in the summertime of 2023, has loads in frequent with Drogba. His bodily presence and work price mirror that of Drogba’s, whereas his potential to hyperlink up the play is maybe even higher than the Ivorian’s. He additionally has nice tempo and intelligent motion.
Nevertheless, the place he comes up quick when in comparison with Drogba is his ending. Although he is far improved this time period beneath Enzo Maresca, he nonetheless wastes too many large probabilities, typically needing two or three clear alternatives to get his identify on the scoresheet.
Since transferring to Chelsea, Jackson has scored 23 Premier League objectives, but in addition missed a whopping 39 large probabilities in his quick Blues profession to date – precisely triple the quantity Drogba missed since this was recorded by the Premier League.
That being stated, Jackson continues to be simply 23 years outdated, and minus his hit-and-miss ending, his spectacular performances at his peak recommend he is able to main the road at Stamford Bridge for years to come back. Nevertheless, consistency and improved shows in entrance of purpose will decide if he reaches Drogba’s heights.
2
Shim Mheuka
Chelsea
Shim Mheuka has quickly ascended via Chelsea’s academy ranks since becoming a member of the membership from Brighton & Hove Albion in 2022.
Through the 2023/24 season, he often featured for the Beneath-18s regardless of nonetheless being a schoolboy, netting a powerful 12 objectives in 20 appearances throughout all competitions, together with a memorable outing at Stamford Bridge within the Beneath-18 Premier League nationwide last in opposition to Manchester United.
Mheuka additionally performed a pivotal position for England within the European Beneath-17 Championship final summer time, scoring of their opening match in opposition to Spain. Extra lately, he marked his first call-up to the Beneath-19s in type, scoring in opposition to France and the Netherlands.
Now 17, Mheuka’s highly effective body, clever motion, and very good ending skills – all qualities Drogba showcased – have already caught the eye of Maresca, with the Italian handing him his first-team debut in a 3-1 win over Astana within the Convention League again in December.
There isn’t a doubting that he has a vibrant future in west London, and given Drogba was 26 when he signed for Chelsea, there may be loads of time for Mheuka to show he has what it takes to develop right into a Drogba-esque expertise.
3
Liam Delap
Ipswich City
Liam Delap has been one of many Premier League’s greatest strikers this season. Huge, robust and with a deadly eye for purpose, the ahead has scored 10 objectives within the prime flight for newly promoted Ipswich City and has confirmed to be an actual handful for a few of the prime flight’s greatest defenders.
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Already linked with a transfer to Chelsea, Maresca, who coached him as a teen throughout his time in Manchester Metropolis’s youth ranks, is an enormous admirer.
“Liam is a implausible participant, and in addition for his age,” stated Maresca again in December earlier than Chelsea had been overwhelmed 2-0 by Ipswich, a recreation through which Delap scored the opening purpose. “I believe we spent one 12 months collectively, and he scored 22 to 24 objectives. He’s an excellent striker.
“England have many good gamers, many good strikers,” he added. “He is working arduous off the ball and on the ball, understands the sport and may rating objectives. I believe he will be an vital participant for England.” For Chelsea too, perhaps?
4
Victor Osimhen
Galatasaray/Napoli
Victor Osimhen is maybe the closest present participant to Drogba when it comes to type and impression.
The Nigerian ahead’s scoring report at Napoli is actually harking back to Drogba, to not point out persevering with his streak in entrance of purpose in a Galatasaray shirt, which is one thing the Ivorian did himself in between his Chelsea spells.
Osimhen got here near becoming a member of Chelsea in the summertime, however the deal fell via previous to his mortgage swap to Istanbul.
While there, he has once more proven why he is one of many deadliest strikers in world soccer, scoring 20 objectives in 27 video games, together with two in opposition to Tottenham within the Europa League, which might already make him one thing of a Chelsea hero to some.
5
Benjamin Sesko
RB Leipzig
RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko is one in every of Europe’s most enjoyable younger strikers and has typically been in comparison with Erling Haaland as a result of his bodily attributes and taking part in type. Somewhat crucially, he has additionally been talked about in the identical breath as Chelsea star Drogba.
The Slovenian ahead stands at 6 foot 4, making him an actual handful for defenders when the ball is crossed into the field. Not solely is he large, however he is additionally a terrific header of the ball. Since transferring to Leipzig in 2023, the 21-year-old has scored seven headed objectives.
Drogba, in the meantime, discovered the web along with his noggin 17 instances for Chelsea within the Premier League.
Like Drogba, Sesko has the flexibility to attain from lengthy vary, greatest showcased by his beautiful strike in opposition to Werder Bremen in January, the place he unleashed a robust drive that just about shattered the web from 25 yards out.
Reportedly already on Chelsea’s radar, a transfer to Stamford Bridge may give him the prospect to turn into Chelsea’s subsequent dominant striker, probably following in Drogba’s footsteps.
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