5 Chelsea gamers and switch targets who could possibly be their new Didier Drogba

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, ability and an unparalleled capability to rise to the event when it mattered most, most notably within the 2012 Champions League remaining, the place his unforgettable efficiency helped the Blues elevate the trophy for the primary time.

A decade after his departure, Chelsea are nonetheless craving for a successor able to replicating his influence on and off the pitch.

The membership has seen a revolving door of strikers within the post-Drogba period, and whereas some resembling Diego Costa loved strong careers at Stamford Bridge, nobody has been in a position to absolutely step into the legendary striker’s footwear.

From younger prodigies already making their mark in west London to established European stars, we have a look at 5 gamers we predict 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 lots in widespread with Drogba. His bodily presence and work price mirror that of Drogba’s, whereas his capability 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 underneath Enzo Maresca, he nonetheless wastes too many huge possibilities, typically needing two or three clear alternatives to get his identify on the scoresheet.

Since shifting to Chelsea, Jackson has scored 23 Premier League targets, but additionally missed a whopping 39 huge possibilities in his quick Blues profession up to now – 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That being stated, Jackson continues to be simply 23 years outdated, and minus his hit-and-miss ending, his spectacular performances at his peak counsel he is able to main the road at Stamford Bridge for years to return. Nevertheless, consistency and improved shows in entrance of aim will decide if he reaches Drogba’s heights.

2

Shim Mheuka

Chelsea

Shim Mheuka has quickly ascended by means of Chelsea’s academy ranks since becoming a member of the membership from Brighton & Hove Albion in 2022.

In the course of the 2023/24 season, he frequently featured for the Beneath-18s regardless of nonetheless being a schoolboy, netting a formidable 12 targets in 20 appearances throughout all competitions, together with a memorable outing at Stamford Bridge within the Beneath-18 Premier League nationwide remaining towards Manchester United.

Mheuka additionally performed a pivotal function for England within the European Beneath-17 Championship final summer time, scoring of their opening match towards Spain. Extra lately, he marked his first call-up to the Beneath-19s in fashion, scoring towards France and the Netherlands.

Now 17, Mheuka’s highly effective body, clever motion, and very good ending talents – 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 any doubting that he has a shiny future in west London, and given Drogba was 26 when he signed for Chelsea, there’s 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. Massive, sturdy and with a deadly eye for aim, the ahead has scored 10 targets within the high flight for newly promoted Ipswich City and has confirmed to be an actual handful for a few of the high 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 a giant admirer.

“Liam is a unbelievable participant, and in addition for his age,” stated Maresca again in December earlier than Chelsea had been overwhelmed 2-0 by Ipswich, a sport wherein Delap scored the opening aim. “I feel we spent one 12 months collectively, and he scored 22 to 24 targets. He’s an excellent striker.

“England have many good gamers, many good strikers,” he added. “He is working exhausting off the ball and on the ball, understands the sport and might rating targets. I feel he could be an essential participant for England.” For Chelsea too, perhaps?

4

Victor Osimhen

Galatasaray/Napoli

Victor Osimhen is probably the closest present participant to Drogba by way of fashion and influence.

The Nigerian ahead’s scoring document at Napoli is definitely paying homage to Drogba, to not point out persevering with his streak in entrance of aim 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 by means of previous to his mortgage change to Istanbul.

While there, he has once more proven why he is one of many deadliest strikers in world soccer, scoring 20 targets in 27 video games, together with two towards 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 certainly one of Europe’s most fun younger strikers and has typically been in comparison with Erling Haaland on account of his bodily attributes and taking part in fashion. Fairly 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 huge, however he is additionally a terrific header of the ball. Since shifting to Leipzig in 2023, the 21-year-old has scored seven headed targets.

Drogba, in the meantime, discovered the web together with his noggin 17 instances for Chelsea within the Premier League.

Like Drogba, Sesko has the power to attain from lengthy vary, greatest showcased by his gorgeous strike towards Werder Bremen in January, the place he unleashed a strong drive that almost shattered the web from 25 yards out.

Reportedly already on Chelsea’s radar, a transfer to Stamford Bridge might give him the possibility to turn into Chelsea’s subsequent dominant striker, probably following in Drogba’s footsteps.