Chelsea has been the house to numerous elite-level attackers over time, serving to the membership remodel into one of many largest names in England and throughout Europe.
Eden Hazard will go down as one of the crucial memorable, featuring over 300 times for the Blues, scoring some essential objectives – serving to them declare the Premier League title twice throughout his seven-year spell at Stamford Bridge.
The Belgian would additionally make the membership a hefty revenue within the course of, leaving for Actual Madrid for a fee in the region of £150m in the summertime of 2019 – making them a revenue of £118m on their funding from 2012.
Frank Lampard was one other who featured on the very high stage throughout the entirety of his time in West London, making simply shy of 650 appearances for the Blues, breaking their file and changing into the highest scorer of their historical past along with his tally of 211.
The Englishman has since returned to handle the first-team squad on two separate events, making an attempt to stabilise the ship in unsure instances similar to embargoes and poor on-field performances.
One striker will stay within the hearts of virtually all supporters endlessly after his influence on the membership following his out-of-the-blue switch beneath José Mourinho.
Didier Drogba’s stats for Chelsea
Didier Drogba will at all times be remembered for his goalscoring potential along with his array of various finishes following his time on the Bridge, scoring 147 times in his 344 appearances for the Blues throughout a mixed 11-year stint in West London.
He joined the membership in the summertime of 2004 from Ligue 1 aspect Marseille, with then-manager Mourinho having to persuade former proprietor Roman Abramovich to splash the money for his signature – with the Ivorian his primary goal.
Drogba scored numerous key objectives for the Blues, however his potential to create a possibility or a gap in entrance of objective, primarily out of nothing, made him as common as he was, with the followers adoring him for his efforts.
The now 46-year-old achieved double figures in every season he performed in England bar his last one in 2014/15, offering the objectives when the aspect wanted them most.
Undoubtedly, his most memorable second for the membership got here within the 2012 Champions League, the place he scored the essential equaliser, earlier than scoring the profitable penalty within the shootout – cementing himself within the membership’s historical past endlessly.
It’s now been 9 years since his last recreation for Chelsea, with numerous managers and behind-the-scenes employees looking for the membership their new model of the African famous person.
Nevertheless, their makes an attempt are but to achieve success, with one participant beforehand having excessive hopes upon his transfer to England.
Chelsea’s subsequent Didier Drogba not dwelling as much as the hype
Fellow Ivorian David Datro Fofana adopted within the footsteps of his compatriot, becoming a member of the Blues in an £8.4m deal from Norwegian aspect Molde again in January 2023.
The striker would make four appearances within the second half of the 2022/23 season, which stay his solely appearances for the membership so far after his switch.
His transfer to the Bridge was an thrilling one, with Turkish commentator Hakan Gulec, dubbing the 21-year-old because the “baby Drogba” – an enormous heap of stress that to date, he’s didn’t dwell as much as.
Fofana has since been despatched on numerous mortgage spells throughout Europe to permit him to achieve his potential and have a possibility to show that the comparisons actually on in his profession have been correct.
Union Berlin and Burnley have been the edges who signed the teenager on momentary loans, earlier than returning to West London this summer time for pre-season forward of 2024/25.
Nevertheless, he wouldn’t get his likelihood beneath new boss Enzo Maresca, being shipped on mortgage to Turkish aspect Goztepe after a failed transfer to affix Greek outfit AEK Athens.
Fofana’s stats on mortgage at Goztepe (2024/25) |
|
---|---|
Statistics |
Tally |
Video games performed |
6 |
Objectives scored |
1 |
Cross accuracy |
71% |
Dribbles accomplished |
33% |
Duels received |
34% |
Photographs taken |
3 |
Aerials received |
48% |
Stats by way of FotMob |
Given his younger age, there’s nonetheless plenty of time for Fofana to progress and attain the degrees he was credited with earlier than his transfer to England, however he wants to take action rapidly if he’s to stay on the Bridge.
Proprietor Todd Boehly isn’t afraid to axe or signal new gamers if he feels that an space wants strengthening, with the centre-forward space undoubtedly the one in want of most consideration – however Fofana might discover himself on the brink if he doesn’t impress this season.
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