Drogba, Torres or Rooney? Chelsea have the best striker in the league

Watching Match of the Day this weekend – something I don’t normally do these days – it was great not only to watch Chelsea coast to a four nil away win over Bolton but also to see Alans Shearer and Hansen giving Drogba the praise he deserves for recent good form.

I was therefore pretty surprised when, after being asked by host Gary Lineker who was the best striker in the league, Hansen said Torres and Shearer said Rooney. I half suspect the Scot was showing some form of Liverpool allegiance and Shearer some form of England allegiance, but nevertheless found their decisions a little strange – especially Shearer’s.

Now I’m not going to argue that Torres isn’t by a margin the better finisher, or that Rooney isn’t better with the ball at his feet and running into space. But Drogba is top class in both of those respects, and outguns both in every other aspect of the game. Looking at the impact of each player on the games in which they have featured so far this season there should be no doubt that, on current form, Drogba is the best striker in the Premier League. 

The stats don’t lie. So far this season Chelsea have scored 39 goals. 20 of those have either been scored by Drogba (10), laid on with an assist from the Ivorian (7) or scored from the penalty spot once he’s been brought down in the box (3). That means that 51% of the goals Chelsea have scored have come about at least because of Drogba’s direct involvement.

But you can go further than that. Drogba hasn’t played in the three Champions League games so far, or in one of the Carling Cup ties (against QPR). Chelsea have scored 32 goals in the games in which he has played (11 fixtures), and Drogba has scored or created 20 of them. That’s a staggering 63%, and he is contributing nearly two goals a game. That isn’t normal. In the past his behaviour has been indefensible, but he’s sharpened up on that this season too. Ish.

Torres on the other hand has played 12 games (10 league, 2 Champions League) and scored 10 goals. Having played just 30 minutes of the Carlin Cup tie against Bolton, Drogba actually has a better goals to minutes ratio, and Torres doesn’t make nearly so many assists (just one in the Premier League). Liverpool have scored 25 goals in the Premier League and, in scoring or making 11 of them, Torres has only contributed 44%.

Similarly Rooney has played 12 games (10 league, 2 Champions League), scoring seven goals. He’s made no assists in the Premier League – so his percentages are even smaller than Torres’. He has contributed just 30% of United’s 23 league goals.

Now I’m not naïve enough to believe that stats tell the whole story. And of course, one man’s assist is just a touch on the ball before a goal, and more meaningful contributions can go unrecorded. Plus, Torres has been playing in a struggling side and has suffered injury and his manager’s unpredictable approach to substitutions.

But the stats are indicative, and his this season are well beyond normal expectations. At the very least, they certainly support the argument that Drogba is probably having his best season at Stamford Bridge since 06/07 when he was similarly unplayable.

Ancelotti should rest Drogba for the Atletico game tomorrow – there’s no point risking him. With his strength, pace and eye for goal Chelsea are twice as dangerous and him being on the pitch against United on Sunday could just make the difference.

Chelsea fans – what do you think? Who would you swap Drogba for, if anyone? Fans of other clubs – do you disagree with my view? Do Drogba’s ‘antics’ detract too much from his football? Post a comment…

Comments

[chelsfan]

of course drog's the best. yeah he might roll aroudn a bit too much, but its worth it for the end product. this season certainly he's been the best there is out there so far.

what was scolari playing at leaving him out?

[Michael Hepp]

I find myself mixed with Drogba. On the one hand his is everything you have outlined and more. His physical size and speed make him a handful for any defender. I bet if you asked the defenders around the league who they wouldn't want to defend, Drogba would come up the most. In my opinion if he is not the best he is certainly the most feared. I don't mind the dramatics mainly because everybody does it, and he maybe be the worst but he is certainly not the only one.

The side I don't like is the attitude that he sometimes develops. When he sat on the bench behind Scolari and had his earphones on while the game was being played was plain disrespectful to both Scolari and his teammates. His interview with the french magazine a few years ago complaining about how he wanted to leave... I could go on, but essentially he can at times appear like a crybaby.

This season he appears to be doing much better and he is even finding ways to work well with Anelka which I love to see.

In conclusion I love him, but sometimes annoyed with him.

[Castrol Football]

The new October Castrol Rankings show that Drogba (23rd) sits third in the list of Premier League strikers, slightly behind Fernando Torres (8th), and Adebeyor (20th) but all three are ahead of Wayne Rooney (34th)... with Torres out through injury, you fancy Drogba's chances to take over as one of the top strikers - overtaking both Adebeyor and Torres - http://www.castrolfootball.com/rankings/rankings/?position=1&nation=&team=&comp=9#label