Like Janus before him, Didier Drogba is a man of two faces and his split personality — frustrated prima donna or unmarkable raging bull — was in evidence again over the weekend.
Carlo Ancelotti has challenged the Ivory Coast striker to show his best face after indicating that he is likely to start Wednesday’s Champions League quarter-final, first leg against Manchester United, but there was a glimpse of the other side during an angry confrontation with his own fans on Saturday.
Having scored the goal that gave Chelsea a point at the Britannia Stadium, Drogba became involved in an angry exchange with a supporter at the final whistle as frustrations at another blow to the club’s title ambitions spilt over. A small pocket of fans, one in particular, singled out Drogba for vitriolic abuse as he took a series of corners during the frantic final minutes against Stoke City. Their complaints were apparently about Drogba’s failure to put the ball into the box and Chelsea’s inability to find a winner.
The striker approached the fan as the players’ tunnel was pulled on to the pitch and asked him to repeat what he had shouted during the game. Words were exchanged but the incident was snuffed out as Paulo Ferreira dragged his furious team-mate down the tunnel.
Ancelotti, knowing that Drogba’s mental state remains the barometer for the ambitions of this team, praised his striker’s commitment. “It’s important to see him in this condition and for him to score,” Ancelotti said. “He used his power, ability and personality in this game. He scored the winner against United last year. He can start the game because he is in good condition.”
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When Drogba is inspired, so are Chelsea. But as the club prepare for a fortnight that will define their season, Ancelotti is no closer to solving an attacking conundrum that has been complicated by the arrival of Fernando Torres. He and Drogba are no closer to forging an effective partnership.
It is perhaps inconceivable that Torres, who sustained minor bruising to his right leg on Saturday, will not start against United, given Roman Abramovich’s fancy for the player and competition. But Ancelotti was noncommittal. “We have more than 11 players who are happy to play against United,” he said. “He had a knock on his leg but he is OK. Yes, he needs to score but he needs to go on the pitch as he did at Stoke, with ability.”