When Roman Abramovich signed on the dotted line and paid Marseille a fee of £24m for Didier Drogba’s services, not many at Chelsea might have imagined just how big a signing he’d end up being.
Drogba joined Chelsea after two stunning seasons in France. A total of 21 goals for Guingamp during 02-03, and then a whopping 32 in 03-04. The summer of 2004 saw Abramovich bring him to West London.
He would go on to write his name into Chelsea and Premier League folklore, with many convinced he is up there with the best strikers to play in the division, with Thierry Henry, Harry Kane and Alan Shearer.
After that celebration for PSG in 2015, how do you feel about David Luiz today: Chelsea Legend or just a former player? 🤨
David Luiz on his Chelsea return with Pafos
Photo by Jasper Wax/Getty Images
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His first Chelsea stint lasted eight years, clocking up 341 appearances and amassing a huge 157 goals. Four Premier League titles, four FA Cups, three League Cups and of course, the 11-12 Champions League.
Petr Cech names the player to match Didier Drogba’s impact
To find someone signed by Chelsea who had a similar impact on the side is difficult. Obviously, Frank Lampard and John Terry did, but they were cornerstones of the side. Since Drogba, it is difficult.
Eden Hazard celebrates goal during Manchester City v Chelsea
Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images
But according to Petr Cech, on the Business of Sport podcast, there is one player who has had the same level of impact as Drogba did. That was pocket-sized magician Eden Hazard, after his move in 2012.
The legendary Chelsea goalkeeper was asked: “Which signing, who when brought in, had the biggest positive impact [at Chelsea?]”, to which Cech replied: “Drogba would be one, and Eden would be one.”
It is a shame that Hazard and Drogba only shared one season
Hazard completed a £32m move to Chelsea in the summer of 2012 from Lille, famously after Harry Redknapp had tried to lure him to Tottenham. He became an icon at Chelsea, the Blues’ danger man.
This Chelsea team needs a Drogba 🎯
157 goals for Chelsea.
Didier Drogba is Chelsea's best signing since 2004.
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A total of 198 goals and assists in 352 Chelsea appearances, scoring 110 himself. Two Premier League titles, two FA Cups, one League Cup and impressively, two Europa League trophies while at Chelsea.
But it is a crying shame that Hazard and Drogba only shared one season at Chelsea, the 2014-15 season when Drogba returned to Chelsea for a year. By that point, Drogba was 36 – but still scored seven goals.
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