Gone swimming: Didier Drogba has developed something of a
reputation for playacting
Stoke's Salif Diao claims Chelsea striker Didier
Drogba's tendency to frequently go to ground is 'part of the
entertainment' of football.
The pair are close friends and face each other in an FA Cup
quarter-final - the Potters' first in 38 years - at Stamford Bridge
on Sunday.
Drogba has earned himself a reputation for diving and Diao said
although he had spoken to the Ivory Coast international about it,
he did not view it as a problem.
'Myself and others tell him to stop diving,' he said. 'But it's
part of the show for him. It is not cheating, but part of the
entertainment.'
Diao is full of admiration for a player he has known for a
decade, having first encountered Drogba when the pair were playing
in France.
And although Drogba has returned to top form with 25 goals in
the current campaign, after struggling last season under Luis
Felipe Scolari, Diao believes he can still get better.
'He has been a good friend for 10 years and as a character I
would say we are very similar,' said the former Senegal
international.
Silence the doubters: Stoke City's Salif Diao
'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. We call him 'The Project' because we see him as someone who
hasn't finished yet.
'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.
'Some African players get to a level and stay in their comfort
zone, but Didier wants to go further and further.
'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.'
Stoke head to Stamford Bridge as rank-outsiders but Diao does
not believe there is a huge gulf between the sides.
In their last two encounters two 94th-minute winners gave
Chelsea the edge and that, says the midfielder, gives them
encouragement.
'The good thing is that every time we play a big game, everyone
is up for it,' he added. '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.
'We believe that on our day we can beat anybody.'
Diao hopes to be able to earn himself another 12-month contract
at the Britannia Stadium this summer but much will depend on his
level of fitness.
'I don't want to retire just yet,' he told The Sentinel.
'Although I am 33, I have missed a lot of games over the years and
so I haven't got the mileage in my legs but I still win my tackles
in training.'
