A teaser clip shared by The Obi One Podcast official X account has reignited recollections of certainly one of Chelsea’s most fascinating striker dynamics, as Diego Costa mirrored on his mindset when Didier Drogba returned to Stamford Bridge in 2014.
Talking candidly, Costa admitted he initially felt anxious, realizing he was about to share the highlight with a membership legend. The complete dialogue kinds a part of Costa’s wider reflections on his Chelsea profession, beforehand detailed by SoftFootball throughout his revelations about his eventual fallout on the membership.
The dialog, hosted by John Obi Mikel and Chris McHardy, additionally ties into the podcast’s broader sequence the place Costa has been challenged on his place amongst elite forwards. That context helps body why this Drogba story issues, as the previous Spain worldwide has persistently spoken about studying from the easiest.
SoftFootball beforehand coated how the Obi One Podcast places Costa below stress to rank himself in opposition to different high strikers, including weight to his admiration for Drogba.
Costa was not dismissing competitors or exaggerating concern for drama. As a substitute, he was explaining the shock of arriving at Chelsea believing he can be the principle striker, solely to see an all-time nice return.
Costa described how Drogba’s popularity alone was sufficient to make him query his personal place, regardless that he additionally considered it as a chance to study from an idol.
When requested straight by Chris McHardy if he felt stress changing Drogba, Costa defined his pondering in full.
He mentioned:
No. Once I signed for Chelsea, it was solely me in idea the one striker. After which Didier Drogba signed once more. He got here again. I knew Didier is God. I look as much as him. I all the time appreciated him. I all the time appreciated watching actually good strikers. And Didier was all the time probably the greatest on the earth.
Costa then clarified why his preliminary confidence became concern, stressing Drogba’s standing on the membership and what that meant psychologically.
He mentioned:
I got here to Chelsea and Didier got here again too. It was good. However I mentioned, I’m in hassle. As a result of Didier, he’s an idol. He is without doubt one of the biggest within the membership’s historical past.
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Nonetheless, he revealed that Jose Mourinho shortly reframed the state of affairs. Costa defined that Drogba’s position can be supportive, however aggressive requirements would stay excessive.
He mentioned:
However he got here just a little bit older. He was not going to vary something. Then Mourinho advised me, don’t fear, he’s coming to be a part of the squad. But when I don’t rating the objectives I ought to, Didier goes to play 100%.
From that time, Costa described a real mentor-protégé relationship constructed on respect. He highlighted how intently he studied Drogba in coaching, not out of concern, however admiration.
He mentioned:
However he was somebody I liked watching in coaching. I watched him from afar. I watched his actions, the way in which he managed, the way in which he knocked down defenders of the ft. I all the time appreciated to study from the nice guys.
Lastly, Costa emphasised Drogba’s character, making it clear that the Chelsea icon by no means tried to undermine him.
He mentioned:
And Didier, from the very first minute, he was all the time treating me nicely. as a result of there are individuals who don’t perceive their second. Didier is aware of how nice he’s. I hope we are able to have one other participant like him. That may be excellent for Chelsea. Didier, from the primary minute, he was all the time treating me nicely, with respect, with affection.
The clip gives a uncommon, human take a look at how greatness can encourage reasonably than intimidate, exhibiting why Drogba’s legacy at Chelsea extends far past objectives.
