AFCON 2025
Former Chelsea midfielder, John Obi Mikel has revealed that club legend Didier Drogba had a habit of stepping up in high-profile matches while showing less enthusiasm for games against smaller teams.
Speaking on The Obi One Podcast, Mikel shared insights into Drogba’s mindset during their time together at Stamford Bridge, where they won multiple trophies, including the Premier League and Champions League.
“Drogba always showed up in the big games,” Mikel said. “When we played against teams like Barcelona, Arsenal, or Manchester United, you could see his determination. But against the smaller teams, he didn’t really care as much. He would still play well, but you could tell the difference in his attitude.”
Drogba, widely regarded as one of Chelsea’s greatest ever strikers, had a reputation for delivering in crucial moments, particularly in finals.
His most memorable performance came in the 2012 UEFA Champions League final against Bayern Munich, where he scored a late equalizer and the decisive penalty in the shootout to secure Chelsea’s first-ever European title.
Mikel’s comments shed light on the Ivorian’s competitive mentality, suggesting that Drogba thrived under pressure but was less driven when the stakes were lower.
Despite this, his overall impact at Chelsea remains undisputed, with 164 goals in 381 appearances and numerous match-winning performances.
