Drogba – The Boy Who Cried Wolf

Didier Drogba – the next footballer to crack Hollywood? Maybe his debut film could be called “The Boy Who Cried Wolf.”

Poor old Didier got one right in the chest from a Jonny Evans high boot on Sunday – he hit the ground with a thud, appearing to writhe in pain. But whilst he was doing some strange pain related leg wriggling, half the watching fans and I thought “here we go again, get up Drogba”. Eventually he did – only to turn around to a yellow card being waved in his face.

Indeed the replay proved that both the referee and I were wrong – showing a clear high boot, with Evans’ studs driving right into his chest. That could have easily cracked a rib. So it begs the question: would anyone take any notice if Didier Drogba was actually lying there with a cracked rib and punctured lung – probably not – we would all be screaming “get up you cheating…”

I felt sorry for Drogba on Sunday as he was obviously in pain, but unfortunately for him his reputation proceeds him. It’s his own fault he gets no sympathy – throwing himself around the pitch like he was a professional wrestler, feigning injury at any given opportunity. He’s not paid to be an actor. He needs to get up, get on with the game and produce some of that breathtaking football he’s capable of.

Drogba’s theatrics are, at times, laughable. Can you imagine what the likes of Bobby Moore would have made of them 50 years ago? He wouldn’t have believed his eyes if he tapped Drogba on the shoulder and he hurled himself to the floor like a rag doll.

Back in the good ol’ days players justgot on with it. Being kicked in the air was part of the game.Watching some old George Best videos gives you an idea of what went on, as he tried to dance his way through a team, two footed tackles would hit him like a JCB truck – but he would be straight up having usually kept the ball.

Mind you, perhaps in those days “being a man” went too far. Bert Trautman played the last 15 minutes of the 1956 Cup Final with a broken neck. Gerry Byrne of Liverpool played at left-back for 117 minutes of the 1965 final with a broken collarbone. Whilst they go down as heroes – that’s one step past the required dedication of a footballer.

But nowadays a player is afraid of playing with a hair out of place let alone a broken neck. It’s about time players “manned” up and stopped all this winging. Because in the end – like poor old Didier has learned – it could be of their own downfall.

If Drogba does decide to take his theatrics to the bright lights of Hollywood then good luck to him. But for his sake – I hope he doesn’t run into Vinnie Jones.

Harry Hesp

November 11, 2009