Didier Drogba's Value To Be Chelsea's Top Goalscorer

With Florent Malouda’s start to the current Premier League season; Chelsea’s top goalscorer with 6 goals in their opening 5 games, Didier Drogba’s odds have risen to 4/9 to be the defending champions top goalscorer after 38 games.

Didier Drogba already has 5 goals to his name this season; 1 more than Salomon Kalou, 3 more than Nicolas Anelka. Frank Lampard has just 1 goal so far this season. Drogba, Chelsea’s central focus up front is not only a good shout to be Chelsea’s top scorer at the end of the season, but also the Premier League Golden Boot winner for a third time.

Since the arrival of Carlo Ancelotti at the start of last season, Didier Drogba has refound similar form to what he was producing under Jose Mourinho at Stamford Bridge, if not better. Didier Drogba remains one of the best strikers in the world, and impossible for Premier League defences to defend against on his day.

Frank Lampard has been Chelsea’s top Premier League goalscorer on more occasions than Didier Drogba, but the English midfielder had looked off form this season, before picking up a knock before the international break. Lampard made few touches of the ball and was happy to distribute it to team mates in his opening games, suggesting he may not have been at full fitness from the opening game of the season.

While Florent Malouda seems to score with every shot he puts on target, one would have to think his goals will dry up at some point. With the likes of Yuri Zhirkov and Yossi Benayoun who can play in his position, don’t be surprised to see Ancelotti use a squad rotation system during the system and give Malouda a rest.

Since being the Premier League top goalscorer in 2008/09, Nicolas Anelka’s goals dried up last season, followed up with a disappointing World Cup that saw him sent home days before the French national team flew home after their opening round elimination. Anelka has already struck the net twice this season, but suffers from stiff competition from Salomon Kalou. The Frenchman’s chances of outscoring Drogba this season seem very unlikely.

With that said, Didier Drogba looks nailed on to be Chelsea’s top scorer again this season, making his odds of 4/9 to do so a great bet. I also fancy him to be the top scorer in the Premier League for the second successive season, currently 2/1 favourite to do so.