Chelsea News – Football Place

Didier Drogba, one of Chelsea’s all‑time greats, believes Arsenal icon Thierry Henry was unfairly overlooked for football’s biggest individual prize. In a recent interview with B/R Football, the Ivorian striker said Henry should have won the Ballon d’Or “like ten times” thanks to his Premier League and Champions League exploits.

Drogba joined Chelsea from Marseille in 2004 and went on to lift four Premier League titles and the Champions League. Renowned not only for his goals but also for his philanthropy—he co‑founded USL side Phoenix Rising—Drogba has since co‑hosted the Ballon d’Or gala twice, witnessing Lionel Messi, Megan Rapinoe and Alexia Putellas claim the awards on those occasions.

When asked which player was most unjustly overlooked, Drogba didn’t hesitate:

“Thierry Henry. He deserved it like ten times, because I think he was fantastic in the Premier League, but also for the national team and in the Champions League he was exceptional. Scoring goals, winning games on his own and for his team. I mean, we’re talking about Thierry Henry, I don’t know if there’s anything more to say.” — Didier Drogba

Henry’s legacy in England is unrivalled: converted from a winger by Arsène Wenger, he netted 175 goals in 258 Premier League appearances between 1999 and 2012, boasting the highest goals‑per‑game ratio among all 100‑goal scorers. He helped Arsenal to two league titles—including the famed “Invincibles” season of 2003–04—three FA Cups in four years, and a 2006 Champions League final. He later enjoyed success in Spain with Barcelona, winning La Liga twice and the Champions League in 2009, before being inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame in 2021.

Here are Thierry Henry’s Premier League career totals: