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Stoke City's Salif Diao praises Chelsea star Didier Drogba's diving
Striker's antics are "part of the entertainment" of football...
5 Mar 2010 13:26:00
By Alex Dimond
Stoke City midfielder Salif Diao has defended Chelsea's Didier Drogba, saying the striker's diving is "part of the entertainment" of football.
The two men are good friends, but will go up against each other as their two sides meet in Sunday's FA Cup quarter-final at Stamford Bridge.
Drogba has gained a reputation as a diver, but Diao believes it is a part of who he is as a player and is good for the sport.
"Myself and others tell him to stop diving," Diao told The Sentinel.
"But it's part of the show for him. It is not cheating, but part of the entertainment."
Diao believes the Potters have a great chance of winning at the weekend, in what will be their first FA Cup quarter-final appearance in 38 years.
"Nothing is impossible. We have been playing so many games where people write us completely out, but that gives us more motivation to disappoint those people," he said.
"We believe that on our day we can beat anybody."
Diao first met Drogba when both were playing in France, almost a decade ago. The Ivorian has already scored 25 goals this season, but Diao believes he can still get even better.
"We call him 'The Project' because we see him as someone who hasn't finished yet," he said.
"He is not the finished striker yet because he always wants to improve. He's like Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo. They know they have achieved, but they still work hard every day because they want to get even better.
"He has a winning mentality and knows what he wants. I think all the big players have that - the wanting to be always the best."
The former Liverpool player also believes Drogba can go on to become the best player in his continent's history.
"Some African players get to a level and stay in their comfort zone, but Didier wants to go further and further," he said.
"Africa has always had big, strong strikers, players like George Weah. But if Didier carries on and 'The Project' goes its full term, then I think he will be the greatest."
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The two men are good friends, but will go up against each other as their two sides meet in Sunday's FA Cup quarter-final at Stamford Bridge.
Drogba has gained a reputation as a diver, but Diao believes it is a part of who he is as a player and is good for the sport.
"Myself and others tell him to stop diving," Diao told The Sentinel.
"But it's part of the show for him. It is not cheating, but part of the entertainment."
Diao believes the Potters have a great chance of winning at the weekend, in what will be their first FA Cup quarter-final appearance in 38 years.
"Nothing is impossible. We have been playing so many games where people write us completely out, but that gives us more motivation to disappoint those people," he said.
"We believe that on our day we can beat anybody."
Diao first met Drogba when both were playing in France, almost a decade ago. The Ivorian has already scored 25 goals this season, but Diao believes he can still get even better.
"We call him 'The Project' because we see him as someone who hasn't finished yet," he said.
"He is not the finished striker yet because he always wants to improve. He's like Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo. They know they have achieved, but they still work hard every day because they want to get even better.
"He has a winning mentality and knows what he wants. I think all the big players have that - the wanting to be always the best."
The former Liverpool player also believes Drogba can go on to become the best player in his continent's history.
"Some African players get to a level and stay in their comfort zone, but Didier wants to go further and further," he said.
"Africa has always had big, strong strikers, players like George Weah. But if Didier carries on and 'The Project' goes its full term, then I think he will be the greatest."
| Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
|
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