Micah Richards has given a captivating perception into the opposition participant that “aggravated him most” on the pitch.
The previous Manchester Metropolis and Aston Villa defender endured some powerful outings all through his 14-year profession. He names Arjen Robben as being somebody who was powerful to come back up towards.
After turning into their membership report signing when he joined from Marseille in 2004, the prolific Drogba would go on to attain 164 targets in 381 appearances for the Blues.
He established himself as one the Premier League‘s biggest gamers, and even returned on a free switch in 2014 earlier than lifting the Premier League title in his first season again.
So what was he prefer to play towards? Talking on The Relaxation Is Soccer podcast alongside Gary Lineker, Richards defined what it was prefer to face Drogba.
When requested what opposition participant aggravated him most on the pitch, Richards replied: “There was Drogba. Dempsey. Arjen Robben… however I might need to say Drogba.
“He was so sturdy. He was so aggressive. You’d contact him and he’d go down really easy. I all the time informed him however he used to purchase the fouls, get his massive arms up after which wink at me and say, ‘I bought you this time!'”.
Richards has beforehand mentioned Drogba was a “nightmare” to play towards.
“As quickly as you leaned on him he would fall over, however he was so sturdy,” he informed the Match of The Day podcast. “Simply if you assume he’s switching off he simply peels to the again – I discovered him very troublesome to play towards.”
Richards did give him credit score for his time at Chelsea. In reality, the previous England worldwide named Drogba’s return to Stamford Bridge as one of the best in Premier League historical past.
“Returning and coming again to win the league – it’s not simply the affect on the pitch it’s off the pitch as nicely,” Richards added. “In case you come again as a legend as Drogba did and win the Premier League – the affect he had was huge.”
Lineker, in the meantime, named former Arsenal defender Martin Kewen because the opposition participant that aggravated him most.
“I solely performed towards him a couple of instances in the direction of the top of my profession, however my god, he was annoying. And now I work with him. A sure Martin Keown,” he laughed.
“I really like Martin to bits now and he is a beautiful man however my goodness me, he’d pinch you on the aspect. Truthfully. He’d be throughout you and was actually aggressive. He was barely insecure and nonetheless is, to a level, in a really good approach.
“Lee Dixon all the time tells the story. They have been two or three down after 20 minutes. Martin saved shouting, ‘Dicko, dicko!’ and ultimately, he mentioned, ‘What!’ Martin then requested, ‘How am I doing?'”
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