Didier Drogba backed his words with deeds as the Chelsea striker followed his inspirational pre-match speech with a FA Cup winning display.
LONDON: Didier Drogba backed his words with deeds as the Chelsea striker followed his inspirational pre-match speech with a FA Cup winning display. Chelsea captain John Terry revealed that Drogba’s most significant contribution on Saturday came before the final had even kicked off as he delivered an emotional address before going on to score the winner late in extra-time.
The Ivory Coast striker called his team-mates into a huddle moments before kick-off against Manchester United in an attempt to help settle any nerves. He admitted he was feeling anxious about the 90 minutes ahead but would never stop fighting for the side and called for the same commitment from the rest of the team.
Terry was convinced that was exactly what Chelsea’s players needed to hear as they prepared to dredge up one final effort from their weary bodies at the end of a gruelling campaign.
“Didi called everyone together and it was a great speech,” Terry said. “He said ‘Guys I’m nervous, we’re all nervous but one thing’s for sure I’m going to fight and give everything. Not for anyone else but for every player.’
“He looked them in the eye and it touched people. It was very good. We didn’t know he was going to do it. He just called everyone together.
“When he said he’d fight no matter what then you can’t ask no more than that. He’s unbelievable. He’s just such a great guy, on and off the pitch.”
Suitably inspired, Chelsea managed to shake off the draining effects of their failed bid for a quadruple and stole the Cup from United with a 1-0 victory at the newly rebuilt Wembley.
Drogba led by example, producing another herculean effort as he capped a season that saw him become the first Chelsea player to score 30 goals for 20 years with his second cup final winner in four months.
He was by far their most potent attacking force and his persistence was rewarded four minutes from the end of extra-time when he played a one-two with Frank Lampard and prodded his shot past Edwin van der Sar. That winner followed his double strike against Arsenal in the League Cup final and underlined his reputation as one of the most feared strikers in Europe.
But, after emerging from a lengthly post-match random drugs test, Drogba was keen to play down his Churchillian speech.
“It was just between us,” he said. “This is what we have to keep because it’s not easy to be a Chelsea player and we know that. We are all together and everybody tried to keep working hard. Our spirit has always been there. It’s difficult to lose a Champions League semi-final and to come here two weeks after and win the FA Cup final against the champions.
“There were so many emotions when I scored that goal. I don’t know what to say. I don’t think I realised what we did today. For me football is about fun.
“It can be very important but there are so many things even more important in life. When you win you have to celebrate and enjoy it because tomorrow maybe you will lose.”
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