Didier Drogba believes Gerard Pique is the toughest defender he had ever faced

Chelsea legend Didier Drogba has suggested that Barcelona’s Gerard Pique is probably the toughest defender he has faced during his playing career. The Ivorian recently hung up his boots after 20 years in the beautiful game where he won numerous accolades including the prestigious Champions League trophy with Chelsea in 2012.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Drogba was asked about the toughest ever defender faced during his career where he pointed out Pique’s name, he said:”I think[toughest opponent was] Pique because our battles were really, really tough. But at the same time, like with all of them, you know like big guys, top players, top men, class. It’s very difficult for me to say one that I played against because most of the time I was playing against two defenders, so one of the best pair I played against was Vidic and Ferdinand. And the other one was [Carles] Puyol and Pique.”

Pique initially made the switch from Barcelona’s academy to Manchester United during the summer of 2004 but he thereafter made the step up to the first-team as a back-up option. However, he could not resist the option of returning to the Camp Nou when the option came by four years later and he has since been a regular for the Blaugrana at the heart of the backline.

Nonetheless, there have recently been question marks regarding his performances after mistakes in recent league defeats and the Catalan giants may seek to pursue a probable replacement for the Spaniard when the season comes to a close. Meanwhile, Drogba has recently suggested that he has no plans of returning to the playing field after formally announcing his retirement and he may now make the next step in his career which could witness him enter into coaching. Drogba is currently performing the duties of being the brand ambassador of Chelsea’s major sponsor Yokohama.