Position: Forward
Born: 11.03.78
Club: Chelsea

Chelsea's record signing prior to the arrival of Michael Essien last summer, Didier Drogba played an integral role as the Ivory Coast qualified for their first-ever finals.

After an inauspicious start to his career in France with Le Mans, Drogba joined Guingamp in 2001 where his 17 league goals in 2002/03 earned him a £3.3million move to Marseille.

It was there the striker came to international prominence, scoring 11 goals in their Champions League and UEFA Cup campaigns as well as 18 goals in Ligue 1, a record that earned him a World Player of the Year nomination and the French Player of the Year award.

It was this goalscoring form that alerted Chelsea, who tempted him to West London for a then-record of £24million.

A powerful and pacy striker, Drogba has yet to recapture his Marseille form in England, but did score 10 goals as the Blues won the Premiership in his first season despite missing two months through injury.

He also scored five Champions League goals and found the net in the Carling Cup final.

Having earnt his first international call-up in 2001, the frontman is now firmly established in the national side and is sure to be the main focus of attention this summer.