Life Without Drogba

Ready to replace Drogba?

The much hyped meeting between QPR and Chelsea at Loftus Road on Saturday ended in a stalemate, with neither side able to find the back of the net. Despite constant booing by the home supporters and the pre-match handshake controversy, football finally took center stage and chances were being created at both ends. However, with the ‘end product’ missing, what caught my attention was the commentator’s remark when Fernando Torres was getting substituted that Chelsea would find life difficult without Didier Drogba.

Although the performance of the Chelsea squad as a whole was below average, there was one man who cut a frustrated figure on the field. Fernando Torres has been a subject of ridicule as well as admiration ever since he moved to Chelsea. His career has been a roller coaster ride to be precise, with several moments of brilliance marred by numerous lackluster performances. It was no different at Loftus Road, as the Spaniard looked lost after having no impact on the game, and was eventually substituted in the 80th minute when he stormed off the pitch, perhaps disappointed with himself.

Didier Drogba left Chelsea after memorably scoring in the Champions League final, when he once again displayed an ability to magically pop a goal out of nowhere. This moment of brilliance was exactly what was missing in the Blues’ previous game. These streaks of sheer brilliance are ultimately the difference between the top teams at the end of the season. It is clear that Torres has some huge boots to fill as he is to play as the lone recognized striker in the Chelsea setup.

The real question here is if Chelsea can afford to have a misfiring striker even if he’s worth £50 million. The answer to that question is fairly simple really. Torres needs to step up his game or face warming the bench, with Sturridge, who looked very lively in the ten minutes he played, ready to challenge his position. Another option which would appeal to the Chelsea owner would be to splash cash on another striker in the January transfer window. Either way, things look grim for Torres, who must perform or perish.

Drogba was missed very dearly in the last game and Chelsea can only hope that the goals start to flow for Torres. With the whole team under transformation, it is perhaps a bit too early to judge them at the start of the season. Losing a player like Drogba would have been a huge blow for any team , much more for Chelsea, who often relied on the Ivorian’s physical presence. It’s not going to be easy adjusting without him, but it’s definitely possible if the Blues’ attacking trio of Torres, Mata and Hazard gel properly.

For now, it’s safe to say that Drogba is being missed.