Drogba: Yaya Toure Names Chelsea Legend His Scariest Opponent

Drogba: Yaya Toure Names Chelsea Legend His Scariest Opponent

Elijah Odetokun
updated at July 12, 2023 at 3:32 PM
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  • Chelsea legend Didier Drogba is one of Africa's greatest football exports
  • He was known as being the man for the big occasion with his scoring
  • His compatriot Yaya Toure named him the player he feared on the pitch

Didier Drogba has received high praise from his compatriot, Yaya Toure, as one of the greatest players to come out of Africa.

Drogba enjoyed a stellar career, most of which he spent at Chelsea and saw him become the man for the big moments, stepping up to score in many finals for the Blues, including in their first UEFA Champions League triumph in 2012.

He returned to the club for a six-month loan under former boss, Jose Mourinho in 2015 and added one more Premier League title to the three he won during his first eight years at Stamford Bridge.

Didier Drogba, Yaya Toure, Chelsea, Barcelona, UEFA Champions League.
Yaya Toure battles for the ball with Didier Drogba during the 2009 UEFA Champions League semi-final between Chelsea and Barcelona. Photo by Clive Rose.
Source: Getty Images

The King, as he was referred to by his teammates, did not have it smooth in the early stages of his career. Drogba started as a right-back and was a registered accountant in case he did not make it, as Sports Brief reported.

Toure names Drogba scariest opponent

The Ivorian striker was a nightmare for defenders with his strength, quick feet, and powerful shots, with even midfielders scared of his ability to turn games around.

His compatriot, Toure, has named Drogba the player he feared playing against the most during his career and for a reason he called the 44-year-old's greatest strength.

"The guy who I always feared to play against the most was [Drogba]. For me, his header was stronger than his shot," Toure said on BBC MOTD, via ESPN UK.

The two faced off a few times during Champions League games between Chelsea and Barcelona, as well as during their time in the Premier League.

Both share a combined six African Footballer of the Year awards between them, with the former Manchester City midfielder picking up four consecutively between 2011-2014, per Sky Sports.

The former Barcelona star also helped his country win an Africa Cup of Nations title in 2015, a feat Drogba and co. fell just short of in 2012.

Bonucci names Drogba strongest opponent

Sports Brief also reported on Leonardo Bonucci naming Drogba his strongest opponent and one of the strikers that made him lose sleep ahead of games.

The pair faced each other a couple of times in the EPL, but the Italian mentioned a specific game between Juventus and Galatasaray he still thinks about.

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Elijah Odetokun photo
Elijah Odetokun
Elijah Odetokun is Reuters-trained journalist with three years of experience having previously worked at Daily Times Nigeria, OmaSports and El Futbolero.