MX23RW : Wednesday, November 27 10:39:49| >> :60:2226:2226:

Didier Drogba: 'Frank Lampard best I've ever played with'

Didier Drogba says that Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic and Carles Puyol have been his toughest opponents to date, while Frank Lampard is the best he has played alongside.

Didier Drogba has revealed that former Chelsea teammate Frank Lampard's 'hard-working nature' makes him the best player he has featured alongside.

The 37-year-old played in the same side as Lampard for eight years during his first spell at Stamford Bridge, before crossing paths with the Englishman during his return to the Premier League last term.

Speaking to ex-Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand in an interview for BT Sport, Drogba said: "For me I respect and think Frank Lampard because he is a hard worker.

"He didn't get like this, you have to work hard and you know he's clever, and for me a football player isn't the one that keeps the ball best – it's the one who's smart."

Asked about the best player he has ever competed against during his 17-year senior career, the Ivorian added: "I've always said you (Ferdinand) and [Nemanja] Vidic.

"People say I scored a few goals against Manchester United and I would say when I was scoring against Manchester United I was really, really happy because I didn't score much.

"So for me to score against you guys means that I had a good game. So, you two and Carles Puyol because he's tough, is a very good defender but he's a gentleman."

Drogba, who left Chelsea this summer, is currently seeking a new club.

ID:232168: cacheID:232168:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2378:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Chelsea's Portuguese manager Jose Mourinho hugs Chelsea's Ivorian striker Didier Drogba before the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Sunderland at Stamford Bridge in London on May 24, 2015
Read Next:
Didier Drogba: 'Chelsea can continue to progress'
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool1210112481631
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Fulham125341717018
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle125341313018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd124441313016
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham124351519-415
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Ipswich TownIpswich121651323-109
19Crystal Palace121561017-78
20Southampton121110924-154


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!