Debate: Drogba is the best striker right now!

Sir Alex Ferguson once hinted that this Chelsea team might have reached their
peak and could soon feel the effect of their advancing years.

That was more than a year ago, on a pre-season tour in South Africa, but the same old codgers are starring for the club this season — and none more so than Didier Drogba.

‘I don’t see outstanding progress from a team in their 30s,’ Fergie said last year. But Drogba, at 31, is threatening to deliver his most productive season since his £24million move from Marseille.

He has already scored 12 goals this campaign, despite being suspended for Chelsea’s first three group games in the Champions League.

His brilliant display on his European return against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday was a reminder of his capabilities as someone who can influence the outcome of a game single-handedly.

Drogba’s 12 goals in 13 games this season leave him just two behind his total for last season.

Add to this his ability to lead the line, hold up the ball, unsettle defenders and link up with team-mates, not to mention his willingness to defend set pieces, the promising partnership with Nicolas Anelka and his sheer strength of personality and you have a formidable individual.

‘He has always believed in himself,’ said Malouda. ‘Even when he was playing in the second division in France he was dreaming of better things and preparing himself for that, and that is why I am not surprised.

‘Even though he is at this level, he is working harder and harder every day in training. The fact that he did a good pre-season without any injuries is important.

He is really happy and he is enjoying his form. He is training very hard, harder than ever.

‘You can see he is fit. He had some rest because of the ban and now he is back in the competition and he is scoring a lot of goals.’

In this mood, Drogba is on course to beat his best tally in English football, 33 goals in all competitions in 2006-07.

His Champions League pain may prove a driving force: a red card against United in the 2008 final in Moscow and perceived injustice of a string of decisions by referee
Tom Henning Ovrebo against Barcelona last season.

‘There is a lot of frustration about what happened during that semi-final against Barcelona,’ said Malouda. ‘He has served his ban and is back, stronger than ever.

Didier and everyone in the team want to prove we deserve to win that competition at least one time.’