Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard has revealed that Galatasaray striker Didier Drogba is feeling ‘excited and nervous’ ahead of this Wednesday’s Champions League last-16 tie when he faces his former-club for the first-team.
The Ivorian became a club legend during his eight year spell at Stamford Bridge and ended his career there by scoring the deciding penalty during the Champions League final two years ago against Bayern Munich.
Now of Turkis side Galatasaray, Drogba is preparing for Wednesday’s reunion as his former-team mates come to town, and Lampard has stated that the striker is having mixed feelings about the game.
“I texted him after the draw because we still keep in touch.
“He was delighted and nervous actually because he said it would be difficult for him to come here to Stamford Bridge. He still sees it as his home and his love.
“I said to him that once he gets back and has the reaction from the fans, he will absolutely love it, both games. I’m sure he will. The draw did have an air of inevitability. It is amazing how often these things happen in football.”
Lampard added: “You will see a return of a hero and rightly so with what he did with his last kick for us. It was the best two days of my life in football terms by a million miles. It was just incredible from start to finish and every fan you talk to is a ‘where were you when you saw it’ moment.
“But it wasn’t just that. There were finals galore, big games. In the dressing room behind the scenes he was a real leader and people didn’t see that – one that we have certainly missed, he was so complete.
“He is the best I have played with solely for the fact of doing it in big, big games. There are a lot of good players out there, but he consistently scored in finals and popped up at the right time.
“I have played against great players and Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are probably the best, but he is right up there without a doubt.”
Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles
