Didier Drogba

Full name: Didier Yves Drogba Tébily
Nationality: Côte d'Ivoire
Date of birth: 11 March 1978
Country of birth: Côte d'Ivoire
Place of birth: Abidjan
Position: Attacker
Height: 189 cm
Weight: 91 kg
Foot: Right

Profile:

Undoubtedly one of the best centre forwards in the world, Drogba still manages to polarise opinion with his theatrical and temperamental style of play taking the shine off the powerful striker's incredible talent. Drogba moved from his native Ivory Coast to France in 1988, living with his uncle in order to pursue a career in football. He started his career at Dunkirk before moving to Abbeville, Levallois and Le Mans.

But it was after a move to Guingamp that he really began to catch the eye, netting 17 goals in their 2002-03 Ligue 1 campaign before signing for Marseille - where he scored 19 goals in 35 appearances during his one season there. Chelsea and Jose Mourinho then came knocking and smashed the British transfer record for a striker, paying £24 million for his services in 2004. Drogba scored 16 goals in each of the next two seasons, helping Chelsea win back-to-back Premier League titles, before starring in 2009-10 with 29 league goals to secure another title.

Injuries have hampered him as he moves into the later stage of his career, but when he has been on form, there are few defenders who can stop his devastating style. Drogba made his international debut in 2002 and is now the Elephants leading all-time goalscorer and appeared at two World Cup finals.

 

Strengths: Aerial prowess and power; there are few players in the world as strong.

 

Weaknesses: Temperament, propensity to dive and over-exaggerate tackles and confrontations.

 

Career High: Winning the 2006 African Footballer of the Year award after helping Chelsea to win a second successive Premier League title and captaining the Elephants to their maiden World Cup finals.

 

Career Low: Being sent-off in the Champions League final against Manchester United in 2008 after slapping Nemanja Vidic.

 

Style: Robust, bustling centre forward who harasses his markers. But he is excellent with the ball on the deck and a strong finisher with the ability to use both feet. 

Youth Carrer:

1996–1997: Levallois
1997–1998: Le Mans



Senior Carrer:
1998–2002: Le Mans
2002–2003: Guingamp
2003–2004: Marseille
2004– .......: Chelsea

Yaya Toure

Full Name: Gnégnéri Yaya Touré
Squad No: 42
Position: Midfielder
Birth Date: May 13, 1983
Birth Place: Sokoura Bouake, Ivory Coast
Height: 6' 3'' (1.91m)
Weight: 79 k
Foot: Right

Profile:

One of the less celebrated members of Barcelona's all-conquering 2009 side, Yaya Toure was the defensive midfield lynchpin and played a key role in their success.

A graduate of the Mimosas youth team in the Ivory Coast, Toure joined Belgian side Beveren before moving to Metalurg Donetsk, Olympiakos, Monaco, and then Barca.

His versatility should not be underestimated. That he can play effectively in defence is well known after his performance in the 2009 Champions League final against Manchester United, but he also operated as an attacking midfielder for Monaco.

Despite his impressive performances at Camp Nou, he struggled for first-team football in the 2009-10 season following the emergence of Sergio Busquets and, at the end of the campaign, he made a big-money move to the Premier League with Manchester City where he will be reunited with his brother, Kolo.

At international level, Toure has earned over 50 caps for Ivory Coast and played at both the 2006 and 2010 World Cups.

Strengths: He combines strength, poise on the ball and skill. He may be known as a defensive midfielder but he is no slouch when it comes to going on the offensive.

Weaknesses: Considering his lofty stature, Toure is not as impressive in the air as might be expected.

Career High: Treble triumph with Barcelona in 2009 - collecting winners' medals for the Champions League, La Liga and Copa del Rey.

Career Low: Being passed up by Arsenal. Yaya wanted to join his brother Kolo at the Gunners, his brother wanted him there, but Arsene Wenger had an initial bid rejected by Olympiakos and never returned with a second offer.

Style: A powerful midfield general with the ball-playing ability necessary to be part of a free-flowing side.

Quotes: "It was a sad decision because everybody wants to come to Barca and I have had to leave, but not playing has been difficult. I am coming to City to help them grow and reach the level of Manchester United and Chelsea." - Yaya Toure, July 2010

Youth Carrer:

1996–2001: ASEC Mimosas 

Senior Carrer:
2001–2003: Beveren
2003–2005: Metalurh Donetsk
2005–2006: Olympiacos
2006–2007: Monaco
2007–2010: Barcelona
2010– .......: Manchester City