Source: Daily_Mail
Didier the entertainer! Drogba's diving is exciting, claims Stoke star Diao
Stoke's Salif Diao claims Chelsea striker Didier Drogba's tendency to frequently go to ground is 'part of the entertainment' of football.[LNB]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.[LNB]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.[LNB] Gone swimming: Didier Drogba has developed something of a reputation for playacting[LNB]'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.'[LNB]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.[LNB]And although Drogba has returned to top form with 25 goals in thecurrent campaign, after struggling last season under Luis FelipeScolari, Diao believes he can still get better.[LNB]'He has been a good friend for 10 years and as a character I would saywe are very similar,' said the former Senegal international.[LNB]Silence the doubters: Stoke City's Salif Diao[LNB]'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.[LNB]'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.[LNB]'Some African players get to a level and stay in their comfort zone, but Didier wants to go further and further.[LNB]'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.'[LNB] Stoke head to Stamford Bridge as rank-outsiders but Diao does not believe there is a huge gulf between the sides.[LNB]In their last two encounters two 94th-minute winners gave Chelsea the edge and that, says the midfielder, gives them encouragement.[LNB]'The good thing is that every time we play a big game, everyone is up for it,' he added. 'Nothing is impossible. [LNB]'We have been playing so many games where people write us completely out, but that gives us more motivation to disappoint those people.[LNB]'We believe that on our day we can beat anybody.' [LNB]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.[LNB]'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.'[LNB] CHELSEA v Stoke: Carlo Ancelotti sweats on Ricardo Carvalho for FA Cup testEverton enter the race to sign the 'new Drogba', Belgian wonderkid LukakuArsenal leapfrog Chelsea in rich list as United are toppled by Spanish giantsEXCLUSIVE: Joe Cole faces Chelsea exit as Roman balks at wage demandsKeane hits back at 'crazy' Wenger over claims rivals are out to get his playersCHELSEA FC
