He was not the kind of player you would have put your money on to become top scorer in the Premiership - at any time. It was only a few years ago that Didier Drogba started playing football at a high level. Indeed, in 1998, playing for Le Mans, he scored just 11 goals in 62 appearances.

It seemed as if the man from the Ivory Coast was just going to be a journeyman striker. But while at Marseille from 2003-4 he attracted the attention of many European clubs by scoring 19 times in 35 appearances. That same year he was named French Player of the Year.

Moving to Chelsea for a then record fee of £16 million, Drogba was criticised for inconsistency during his first season despite having the second-best goals-to-minute ratio in the Premiership. His second season at Stamford Bridge was marked by the now famous "Sometimes I dive, sometimes I stand'' statement after he was accused of cheating during Chelsea's 2-0 victory over Manchester City.

'Drogba is a new breed of striker with a lethal scent for goal along with intelligence, humility and talent'


That season he scored 16 goals and was expected to go back to Marseille - but José Mourinho decided to stick with him. Drogba hit the kind of form expected from Thierry Henry or Wayne Rooney as he became the heart and soul of Chelsea.

Scoring an incredible 33 goals last season, he has finally won the hearts of the Blues fans. Led by a talented coach, he has been a threat to every keeper and defence he has played against.

Using his wonderful strength to go past the best defenders, and a heading ability to put the ball wherever he wants, Drogba, now 29, is a new breed of striker with a lethal scent for goal along with intelligence, humility and talent.

Or maybe was it just  luck to hit 33 goals . . .