Drogba is the world's best striker, says Portsmouth boss Avram Grant

16 December 2009 12:05
Portsmouth manager Avram Grant claims there is no better striker in world football than Chelsea's Didier Drogba.   [LNB]Grant's defenders will come up against the Ivory Coast international when Portsmouth head to Stamford Bridge for a Barclays Premier League clash, providing Drogba overcomes a back problem he sustained in training.   [LNB]The Pompey boss knows all about the powerful Chelsea frontman following his eight-month tenure as Blues manager during the 2007/08 campaign.   [LNB] Dream team: Drogba (left) with strike partner Anelka[LNB]Grant also signed French striker Nicolas Anelka who joined Drogba in firing Chelsea to the Champions League final, as well as second place in the Premier League that season.   [LNB]Drogba has netted 18 goals in all competitions already this term, while Anelka has weighed in with seven.   [LNB]Grant refuses to highlight the duo as Chelsea's only attacking threat, but admits his charges could have their work cut to stop them.   [LNB]CLICK HERE FOR THE MIDWEEK TEAM NEWS IN THE BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUEHe said: 'They are very good players but good midfielders can score and so can good full-backs. Chelsea is a good team.   [LNB]'But for the moment, I think no-one is better than Drogba. I think Nicolas is a very good player too and this is the reason I signed him.'[LNB]Following their trip to London, Portsmouth will welcome Liverpool to Fratton Park on Saturday.   [LNB]They then face a relegation six-pointer with West Ham on Boxing Day, before tackling Arsenal at home on December 30.   [LNB] Good times: Grant enjoyed working with Drogba at Stamford Bridge[LNB]With such a daunting fixture list on the horizon and his side five points from safety, Grant could be forgiven for feeling nervous.   [LNB]He said: 'I think someone up there is trying to test me. This isn't an easy game but this is the fixture. What can we do about it? The thing we can do is perform on the pitch and that's what we will do.'[LNB]Portsmouth are unbeaten in their last two games after defeating Burnley 2-0 on December 5 and drawing 1-1 at Sunderland last Saturday.   [LNB]While their recent momentum could be interrupted at Stamford Bridge, Grant says Portsmouth's fight for survival can go to the wire.   [LNB]He added: 'We won't finish the season in January or February. It will be a long, long season for us and a long, long battle.   [LNB]'If the players play with a lot of spirit and show a lot of character, we can do things, even at the last minute.'[LNB] Avram Grant: Abramovich blamed me for Terry's Champions League howlerDidier Drogba injury rocks Chelsea after star striker is crocked in trainingVIDEO: Carlo Ancelotti insists Chelsea must wipe out their defensive errorsDi Santo set to stay at Blackburn as Chelsea give deal the green lightCHELSEA FC

Source: Daily_Mail