Didier Drogba: 10 Players You Didn’t Know Have More Premier League Goals Than Ivory Coast Legend

• Didier Drogba was the first African to score 100 Premier League goals
• Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane are the only Africans with more goals
• Nearly 30 players have scored more Premier League goals than Drogba

Didier Drogba is undoubtedly one of Africa's greatest players.

The Ivory Coast and Chelsea legend is also one of the best African players to grace the Premier League.

He scored just over 100 goals in the English top flight, which puts him 32nd on the all-time list.

The 46-year-old played nine seasons in the Premier League with Chelsea, from 2004/05 to 2014/15. He lifted four Premier League titles and won two Golden Boots (2006/07 and 2009/10).

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In the last few years, Drogba's legacy in the Premier League has been questioned by many fans online. His goal tally in the top flight has been heavily scrutinised, with fans comparing him with players who won little but scored more goals than him.

He scored in double digits in five of his nine seasons in the league, scoring eight, five, five, and four goals in the four other campaigns. Sports Brief looks at 10 players you didn't know had more Premier League goals than Drogba.

10 players with more goals than Drogba

Raheem Sterling - 121 goals

The Chelsea forward is just 29 years old. Sterling has played for Liverpool, Manchester City, and the Blues. The England winger played for the Reds and the Citizens when they were at their best. His finishing has always been erratic, but his goal tally is decent. He scored those goals in 376 appearances.

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Peter Crouch - 108 goals

Crouch was one of the tallest players in the league. He scored 108 goals in 467 appearances for the likes of Stoke City, Liverpool, and Tottenham Hotspur. He played close to 20 seasons in the Premier League.

Darren Bent- 106 goals

Bent is considered one of the most underrated strikers in Premier League history. He played for the likes of Tottenham Hotspur, Sunderland, and Aston Villa. He bagged 106 goals in 277 EPL appearances.

Jamie Vardy - 136 goals

The Leicester City hero continues to cement his iconic status at the club. He has helped his club bounce back to the Premier League and will be looking to add to his tally of 136 goals. The 37-year-old has played 307 matches in the English top flight.

Jermain Defoe - 162 goals

Defoe made 496 Premier League appearances and scored 162 goals, mainly for Tottenham Hotspur. He also scored a few for Sunderland.

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Nicolas Anelka - 125

The Frenchman was a controversial figure, but he was good at scoring goals. He bagged 125 Premier League goals in 364 matches. He suited up mainly for Chelsea, Arsenal, and Manchester City but also played for Juventus, Real Madrid, and PSG (Paris Saint-Germain).

Paul Scholes - 107 goals

The Man United legend was part of the squad that won the 1999 treble. He is regarded as one of the greatest midfielders of all time. He scored 107 goals in 499 appearances, all in a Man United shirt.

Emile Heskey - 110 goals

Heskey played for the likes of Liverpool, Aston Villa, and Birmingham. He scored 110 goals in 516 appearances.

Romelu Lukaku - 121 goals

Lukaku's career didn't go as expected, especially considering he played for top clubs like Chelsea and Manchester United. Nevertheless, he scored 121 goals in the Premier League. He also played for Everton and West Bromwich Albion.

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Michael Owen - 150 goals

Owen's career in the Premier League was short. He played for Liverpool, Manchester United, and Newcastle United and scored 150 goals in 326 appearances. Owen won the 2001 Ballon d'Or and the Premier League Golden Boot in 1998 and 1999.

How Drogba inspired Osimhen

Sports Brief previously reported on how Drogba inspired Victor Osimhen, the reigning African Footballer of the Year.

The Nigerian star says he watched the Chelsea legend when he was young, adding the Ivorian's skills to his playbook.