Drogba who?

June 15th, 2006 | By: Mike | 3 Comments »

Marco van Basten isn’t losing any sleep over Didier Drogba and the Cote d’Ivoire attack. I’ll be honest, I have never ever been impressed by Didier Drogba. Not even once and I have watched a lot of English football. I have to say though that for the first time I was impressed by him against Argentina. There wasn’t any flopping, he not once let his head drop but kept attacking and pushing until the final whistle. With Chelsea he plays like a spoiled footballer who expects to win where with his country he puts in the work and sweat.

With that said, I would agree with van Basten’s approach to the “problem”. If there is a problem with him during the game then it can be addressed then, but to formulate strategies for one player of only decent quality is a waste of time given the other issues van Basten needs to handle.

I also think that the counter attack will work well against Les Elephants. How good of a counter-attacking team are the Dutch? We certainly have the speed and the technique. Robben, van Persie, van Nistelrooy, Sneijder or van der Vaart. Just a thought I’ve been chewing on.

Tags: Didier Drogba, marco van basten, Netherlands, Serbia and Montenegro

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Comments

By Jan | June 15th, 2006 at 3:05 am

Interesting comment. You know, most people in Holland have said that despite the 4-3-3 line up and total football aura of Holland, in the qualifications we did play a more counter-attacking mode. And yes, with Ruud grown up in 4-4-2 and with Robben and Persie’s speed, vd Vaart’s delivery,Holland would make a lethal counter-attacking squad. Since IC has to attack (i.e. win) we will probably be a bit more reactive vs. pro-active. Bring it on

Posted from Australia

By Kervin | June 15th, 2006 at 6:04 pm

i do not agree with you mike, drogba is the best we can get, he plays ahead of crespo at chelsea! we all saw his goal against argentina, with alaya marking him and hienze not far, and it was his first ever game in a world cup… i think mvb is right to take good care of him, and i think game would be won tactically…

By Martijn | June 15th, 2006 at 9:07 pm

I dont know, split opinions.. Drogba is a great striker, and loves playing for his country, he has heart doing it. Wer ,will need to cope with it, but there is nothing our defenders cant cope with, from the attitudes ive heard. If we play fluent football, Drigba will be in his own half mostly, looking for an opportunity. Mixed opinions, and alot of fun coming up tomorow. I could agree with mike on this one. Cheers

Posted from Oman