Earlier today I was watching the Kings of Europe SS1 documentary about our miraculous Champions League win,and its something I wonder, and also wonder if other people feel the same. Would Drogba be viewed as the legend he is if Lionel Messi or Arjen Robben had scored from the penalties in the Semi Final/Final that Drogba gave away?

Personally, I wouldn't view him as any less of a legend as bar the two penalties he gave away, he was truly heroic in the rest of the two games and the Champions League campaign as a whole, but would the endearment be the same if he had cost us the Champions League, especially against Bayern in the final.

Never mind the cl final look at the cup finals he won us. Drogba = Legend, nobody will ever match he's cup final goals. I'm glad he left on high.

No the man had a long list of reasons why he is a legend at this club, winning the champions league was just the icing on the cake

Still be a legend, he turned up for every big game that he took part in. Also seemed to be a leader.

A unique player who gave everything for us. Not all the time, maybe, but when it most mattered, definitely. So pleased for him that he left on such a high, but would still have revered him if either of those pens had been converted.

i dont know about you but every time i see drogba tackle on cesc fabregas in the semi final i always think it's a dive by fabregas

In his years here at Chelsea, Drogba was certainly a controversial figure. Moaning, theatrics, etc when he first came here, but we all saw behind the theatrics was an amazingly talented player.

Then, over the years he just kept showing up. Arsenal had nightmares about him, and we were successful with him in the team. He was one of the "old guard" alongside other Legends in Lampard, Terry and Cech. Then, we hear that he "never wanted to be at Chelsea" after Jose left, and that hurt - whether true or not, who knows.

Then he wins more, regardless of the manager. Then we are in Moscow in 08, he slaps Vidic, gets sent off and Terry (taking what should have been Drogba's penalty) misses. Tears fell heavy in the rain that night, and there were a lot of us - myself included - who thought Drogba's petulance had cost us the ultimate prize. But, we kept winning more, regardless of the manager.

So you can see, up until the CL final this year I am sure there would have been cases both for and against him getting the "Legend" mantle. The final kick he had for us, well that just cemented it.

What he has done for us can not be taken away, and yes we will miss him, and we should never try and replace him he is simply irreplaceable. However, for me, the one thing more than a CL goal or FA Cup winner, or tormenting the Arsenal, Tottenham, Liverpool, Man U defenses that makes him a legend is his work off the field.

I remember when we had to write a message for Didier when he left I wrote, "Amazed by what you did on the field, humbled by what you did off it. Thank You!"

I was watching a documentary about it and Drogba said that Cesc had told him that he'd dived.

 

edit: He would have been a legend regardless because of his other performances in big games, and banging in so many goals on our way to league titles, a lot of them being true stunners, but winning the CL in his last game has really turned him from a legend to some sort of mythical hero, I mean really who wins the champions league with their last kick of the ball, mfw.

Edited December 12, 201213 yr by Jonty

he actually cared about the club and i was lucky enough to speak to him. for such a big guy he had a very soft voice! he has won a lot with us and i will always consider him a legend. 

I loved him the moment I saw him play in a Chelsea shirt and was one of the few on here who supported him through the heavy criticism he took from many people on the forums during his first season. I can tell you now Drogba got nowhere near the level of support or patience from the fans in the stadium that Torres gets.

 

He was an essential part of the team Jose built and IMO was, in his prime, the best centre-forward in the world. Physically and mentally as strong as a bull and virtually always delivered in the really big games. It will be a very, very longtime before we find another as good.

He was a legend long before a ball was kicked in the Nou Camp. Even if we'd have lost because of the penalty he gave away, it wouldn't have mattered. After all, without his brilliant performance, we'd have gone out against Napoli. 

No I don't think so.

 

I agree that Drogba's legendary status was already assured before the Champions League final, but the manner of that win - the last minute of extra time equaliser, the penalty that won the trophy with his last ever kick as a Chelsea player - this is pure Roy of the Rovers, the stuff of dreams that takes the legend of Didier Drogba to another level entirely.

I loved him the moment I saw him play in a Chelsea shirt and was one of the few on here who supported him through the heavy criticism he took from many people on the forums during his first season. I can tell you now Drogba got nowhere near the level of support or patience from the fans in the stadium that Torres gets.

 

He was an essential part of the team Jose built and IMO was, in his prime, the best centre-forward in the world. Physically and mentally as strong as a bull and virtually always delivered in the really big games. It will be a very, very longtime before we find another as good.

 

 

x2    

Edited December 14, 201213 yr by Zola

Chelsea is definately in his heart and written through him like a stick of rock, I saw him interviewed before our game against Monterrey, hw kept reffering to Chelsea as 'Us' and 'We'. It just came naturally for him. Had a little chuckle as I remembered how he used to terrorise defences.

One of my favourite moments of Drogba was when we played Barca and Drogs had dived and maybe rolled over a couple of times to get a free kick but the then looked up with a big smile on his face. It was classic!

One of my favourite moments of Drogba was when we played Barca and Drogs had dived and maybe rolled over a couple of times to get a free kick but the then looked up with a big smile on his face. It was classic!

Had me laughing for ages. Even my friends who don't support Chelsea said it made them laugh and it showed how committed he was. I cant stand Barca after they smashed up the away changing room after their 4 2 defeat. Complete c**ts.

Drogba would have been a legend no matter what happened last season given he played a vital part in our 3 PL titles, various cup wins and of course getting as far as we have done in various CL campaignes.

 

Like TD said though, the manner of what the lad done against Bayern in the final made this like a fairytale, we will all take that image of Drogba collapsing to the ground after than pen to our graves....it was what dreams are made of.

Drogba was a one off in so many ways, we will never see another like him in our time I reckon but we should be mighty gratefull we saw the man at his peak and wearing the blue. Yes he had his moments of cringe but when he was on form he could destroy teams all on his own.

Legend, Hero, Role model...you name it our Didier is al of these and more.

Cheers big man!

He'd still be a legend. Just not quite on the same level he is now. And the Fabregas one was a blatant dive.

Still be a legend, he turned up for every big game that he took part in. Also seemed to be a leader.

 Every big game? What, even the Champ league final against Utd when he got sent off for a silly slap, and likely cost us the cup?

In my opinion Anelka cost us that final with his sh*t pen.

 Every big game? What, even the Champ league final against Utd when he got sent off for a silly slap, and likely cost us the cup?

That was the only time, and you can't completely blame him for the penalty miss.

Has anyone in the history of football left a club on a more positive note?  I mean that really has to be the best way to leave a club.

If you ask anyone on this forum their greatest Drogba moment, (baring the goal in Germany) they'd be hundreds.

 

From his winning goals in Cardiff and Wembely finals, to his exploits in the Champions League over the years.

 

His sliding celebrations in front of Benitez after being called a diver, and knocking out Liverpool, to his '''its a disgrace''' comments after the Barcelona refereeing fiasco, something we ALL felt at the time.

 

I for one remember us playing Manu at home - , winning by a slim margin with Fergie waving his finger over his watch at the referee, and Drogba coming the to East/MH corner of the ground and winning free-kicks, throw-ins corners and literally seeing out the last 10 minutes of a game (no lie!! it was at least 10 minutes!! - smashing Vidic and Giggs all over the place in the process!!!) - nothing glorious, but his 'give it to me - they wont take the ball off me' attitued, couple with the 'big players' around him was the catalyst in our most successful period ever!

 

The mark of a player of their magnatude is when you look back in 10/15 years time, and it'll will be the Chech, Terry, Lampard, Cole, Drogba side. -

Legends? Yes -  the f*cking lot of them!!

Edited December 14, 201213 yr by BLUENUT

If you ask anyone on this forum their greatest Drogba moment, (baring the goal in Germany) they'd be hundreds.

 

From his winning goals in Cardiff and Wembely finals, to his exploits in the Champions League over the years.

 

His sliding celebrations in front of Benitez after being called a diver, and knocking out Liverpool, to his '''its a disgrace''' comments after the Barcelona refereeing fiasco, something we ALL felt at the time.

 

I for one remember us playing Manu at home - , winning by a slim margin with Fergie waving his finger over his watch at the referee, and Drogba coming the to East/MH corner of the ground and winning free-kicks, throw-ins corners and literally seeing out the last 10 minutes of a game (no lie!! it was at least 10 minutes!! - smashing Vidic and Giggs all over the place in the process!!!) - nothing glorious, but his 'give it to me - they wont take the ball off me' attitued, couple with the 'big players' around him was the catalyst in our most successful period ever!

 

The mark of a player of their magnatude is when you look back in 10/15 years time, and it'll will be the Chech, Terry, Lampard, Cole, Drogba side. -

Legends? Yes -  the f*cking lot of them!!

Excellent

I still get way too emotional over Drogba threads. Isn't he just injured or at the ACON? I mean... He's coming back right? He's gonna pull on the shirt one more time and walk out to Liquidator?