Drogba coming good for Hiddink

DIDIER DROGBA was back to his combative best against Juventus on Wednesday night and Frank Lampard, drawing a line under the Ivorian’s questionable attitude under Luiz Felipe Scolari, hailed the striker as the best in the world after his first-half strike gave Chelsea a one-goal advantage for the second leg in Turin.

Lampard praised Drogba’s “fantastic” record in the Champions League – this was his 25th goal in 52 matches – saying it underlined the 31-year-old’s quality:

“This is the premier championship in the world. To score goals is not easy in this. Didier has proved, in the last few seasons in particular, that he is one of the best strikers in the world, if not the best,” said midfielder.

Lampard did accept Drogba “cannot be on form all the time”, alluding perhaps to the striker’s abject performances under Scolari when, admittedly recovering from a knee injury, he managed only three goals in 21 games.

The manner of Drogba’s goal, his first since the 2-0 St Stephen’s Day win over West Bromwich Albion, will have encouraged new manager Guus Hiddink.

Collecting Salomon Kalou’s wonderful through ball with aplomb, he spun away from Nicola Legrottaglie before finishing authoritatively.

Ostensibly playing as a lone striker, with support from Nicolas Anelka and Kalou, Drogba led the attack with a performance that harked back to the days when Drogba was Jose Mourinho’s special one. He had claims for two penalties waved away as Legrottaglie and Giorgio Chiellini struggled to deal with his obstinate forward play and perpetual motion, and should have scored when rising unchallenged to meet a Lampard corner.

Drogba believes he is getting back to his best form thanks to the faith shown in him by the club’s new interim coach Guus Hiddink. He could well have netted a hat-trick. Drogba said he will not be fully fit for three weeks still.

“The second half was more difficult and in one-on-ones I didn’t really have the legs to dribble. I need to work but the best place for that is on the pitch because we have games every three days so training will be limited,” said the striker who hopes to have “big games” in which to showcase his talents.

Since Hiddink agreed to take charge of the club on a temporary basis until the summer, Drogba has started the last two games in his preferred central striking role.

Now Drogba has set his sights on hitting the kind of form that once made him a feared European striker and paid tribute to Hiddink’s confidence in him.

“You haven’t lost your Drogba, he was just not playing,” said Drogba. “Being judged when you are playing is much easier, and to the contrary, when you are not playing you can be criticised.

“At the moment I feel good when I’m on the pitch and I make the most of those priceless moments. I’m not at my best because I think I need more games but I’m giving what I can at the moment.

“The truth is that the coach relies on me, which is a massive psychological boost for a striker.”

Hiddink criticised his side for dropping off after taking the lead and allowing Juventus to gain the upper hand in the second half, but he must have been pleased with the defensive fortitude and discipline shown by his side.

Lampard said Hiddink “keeps it very simple in his ideas” and Drogba, too, said he was benefiting from the division of labour introduced by the Dutchman.

“Every player in his position really must focus and do the job you are asked because one mistake can put us in trouble and so you have to play for 90 minutes the way you are asked. Each player knows what they have to do and we did that,” said Drogba.

Chelsea prevented Juve from getting an all important away goal but now the Blues have to go to Turin and produce a massive performance to reach the quarter-finals.

But Drogba believes his early strike could turn out to be the tie’s crucial one. “We have a good chance,” added the Ivorian. “We have to go there and play. I’m very excited to go there.

“We need to score there, definitely. Maybe get a draw, or not to concede and score one. It’s not going to be easy but I think we have the team to do it.”

Drogba’s fellow Ivory Coast international Kalou, meanwhile, declared yesterday he would consider his future at Stamford Bridge in the summer and was interested in playing for Arsenal, saying it would be an honour to play for their manager, Arsene Wenger.

“He is a very great coach and I know every single player in the world dreams of playing for Arsene Wenger,” he said.

• Guardian Service