Drogba names Victor Osimhen his favourite striker

Didier Drogba, a legendary figure in the Chelsea football club’s history, has made a noteworthy choice for his favorite current football player, selecting Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen over prominent figures like Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe, according to reports from PUNCH Sports Extra.

During an award show held in France, the 45-year-old retired striker engaged in a rapid-fire question-and-answer session that touched on various subjects, including his preferred teammate during his tenure at Chelsea. In a surprising turn of events, Drogba singled out Frank Lampard as his favorite teammate, even though he had the opportunity to play alongside luminaries like Mikel Obi, Michael Ballack, and William Gallas. Drogba’s preference for Lampard is well-founded, given that the retired English midfielder is one of only two players to have scored more goals than Drogba in Chelsea’s history.

According to Transfermarket, Lampard impressively netted 211 goals for Chelsea, while Drogba secured the third position in the list of the club’s all-time leading goal scorers with 164 goals. Bobby Tampling occupies the second spot with 172 goals scored for the North London club.

In a swift exchange with Sports Illustrated, Drogba was prompted to reveal his favorite current footballer, and he unhesitatingly responded with “Victor Osimhen.” The 24-year-old striker is currently considered one of the world’s premier forwards, despite recent controversies involving him and his club, Napoli.

Comparisons have been drawn between Osimhen and Drogba, as both players exhibit a similar level of proficiency in front of the goal. Drogba’s illustrious career yielded an impressive 302 club goals, while Osimhen presently boasts 105 club goals.

In a 2022 interview with the Nigerian Football Federation, Osimhen disclosed that he looked up to Didier Drogba during his formative years. He also cherished the moment he scored against Chelsea, sharing, “My childhood idol is Didier Drogba. The goal I cherished the most was when I scored against Chelsea. The feeling was special because I know many of my friends are Chelsea fans. Before the game, they texted me that they didn’t care if Chelsea won, as long as I scored. They wanted me to fulfill my dream, and that’s one of the best moments in my career,” the 24-year-old striker reflected.