'Old' Drogba rejuvenates heroic Chelsea - Ahram Online

At the age of 34, Ivorian striker Didier Drogba has proven to be Chelsea's deadliest weapon in their quest for the 2012 UEFA Champions League title.

With an eye-catching performance, Drogba scored the winner at Stamford Bridge and produced an amazing physical effort inspiring his teammates to a 2-2 draw at Camp Nou to eliminate defending champions Barcelona.

The Blues striker made runs up and down the flanks to haunt the Catalans' defence and block flying winger Daniel Alves from his usual spark on the right flank.

Returning from a knee injury just a couple of days ahead of the clash, Drogba made way for Fernando Torres on 80 minutes.

The England giants survived the dismissal of captain John Terry and a two-goal deficit to make an amazing fightback through strikes by Ramires and Torres.

"In football the most important thing is to win the game. You don't win the game with possession. Of course we defended but we scored goals as well and I think we deserved to qualify," the striker said after the match.

Old Drogba has more to deliver

Midway through the second half, Didier made a brilliant solo effort combining his talent, stamina and power. The imposing striker dispossessed youngster Isaac Cuenca before overlapping Carlos Puyol then fired from more than fifty yards forcing keeper Victor Valdes to stretch denying the goal.

Contrary to what has been said recently about the Elephants' all-time top scorer, Drogba proved his physical abilities would help him star for another season or two with the Blues.

The holder of three Premier League trophies was being linked with moves to Russia or China early this year after a serious injury sidelined, leading some to insist that "Drogba won't be the same again."

Scoring 100 goals with Chelsea in 221 appearances since he joined in 2004, Drogba's contract expires this summer and he hasn't inked a new deal yet.

"For those who said that I was too old, they saw that I could run maybe one, two or three more years," the African footballer of the year 2006 and 2009 said last week when he scored the winner at Stamford Bridge.