The end of an era, again at Chelsea, Didier Drogba’s second stint at the club has given him another Premier League winners’ medal and although he has not had a hand in this title as much as in the previous ones. Drogba leaving the bridge will create a massive void for the club and they would be looking to get someone into the club who can provide some cover for Diego Costa but also be able to bully defences similar to the fashion that the Ivorian did for years.
The talk of the town has been for Christian Benteke to replace the Ivorian; Benteke has been on fire for Aston Villa in the second half of the season and has been on quite a scoring streak for the club. We provide 3 reasons as to why the big Belgian could be the answer for Drogba’s replacement.
Proven scorer in the Premier League
Although he is a burly striker, Christian Benteke has a great scoring record for Aston Villa. Villa aren’t the biggest club in terms of getting the best players in and competing for a Champions League place, but Benteke has scored regularly for them and had even scored 23 goals in his first season. Playing in a new country in a new league is never easy but Benteke showed that he can adapt to a new league. Drogba scored 16 goals in his first season for Chelsea, just to put that into perspective.
Belgian Beast – Good in the air and with his feet
If anything that Didier Drogba was known for was his aerial ability and brute strength, but one thing most people overlook was that he had a great strike in him also. Drogba scored goals with his feet and his head, Benteke might seem like a Duncan Ferguson kind of player based on his build, but he has more to his game than just heading ability. Benteke can score with either foot and is pretty mobile as well, something that was a concern after his injury last season. He has picked up where he left off and now has scored 15 goals in 32 games this season.
Age on his side
Didier Drogba moved to Chelsea from Marseille when he has 26-years-old and was just at the peak of his ability or about to hit it in subsequent years at the bridge. Benteke is only 24-years-old but seems to be getting better and better as he plays more games; he has age on his side and also would be under the wise Jose Mourinho who can help players become better. There is a fear that Benteke could become another Schurrle or De Bryune, but that should not be considered, moving to Chelsea can be beneficial to both Benteke and the club.