Chelsea v Man City: Didier Drogba is the man to replace Diego Costa, says Sky Sports' Tony Gale
Friday 30 January 2015 18:06, UK
Chelsea's Didier Drogba is the perfect choice to step in for the suspended Diego Costa against Manchester City on Saturday, says Sky Sports' pundit Tony Gale.
Costa's three-match ban for stamping on Liverpool's Emre Can in the Capital One Cup semi-final rules out the striker for Saturday's top of the table match at Stamford Bridge.
It is a big blow for the Premier League leaders, who will also be without Costa for league matches against Aston Villa and Everton, but Gale says Chelsea have the firepower in their squad to cope.
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The former West Ham defender told The Morning View on Sky Sports News HQ: "Drogba has a big-game mentality. He's come in for big games before and done well.
"He is also a leader and great at set-pieces. That can decide games and there's no better header of a ball than Drogba. There's also Loic Remy who they haven't used a lot. Maybe they could use him in a wider position.
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"Drogba is not what he was but he's still a great player."
Gale paid a special tribute to the talents of Chelsea keeper Thibaut Courtois and midfielders Nemanja Matic and Eden Hazard, but says City have a chance of overturning their rivals if their star front men shine.
"David Silva and Sergio Aguero are key," Gale added. "If City can get the ball to them and Silva gets in those pockets or Aguero can get behind Chelsea's back pairing they will give them problems.
"I don't think Chelsea will double up on Silva but they'll have to be aware of where he floats. If their defence pushes up though, Aguero can get behind."
Tony Gale's Man City XI (4-2-3-1)
Hart, Zabaleta Kompany, Demichelis, Clichy, Fernandinho, Fernando, Navas, Silva, Milner, Aguero
Tore Andre Flo's Chelsea XI (4-2-3-1)
Courtois, Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta, Fabregas, Matic, Willian, Oscar, Hazard, Costa (chosen before ban was announced)
Watch Chelsea v Manchester City live on Sky Sports 1 HD on Saturday from 4.45pm
