All About The Benjamins by Didi

Words by Pat McStay

MLS worst nightmare summed up in one word: "Drogba"

Didier Drogba will end up at whichever club will pay him the most next year. After declining the one year extension at Chelsea, his agent told the press regarding Drogba, “once you are well into you thirties, you have to go to a club where you can be certain you’ll be able to pay your bills.” It’s got to be tough only making an estimated $27,000 a day. The average household income in the United States in 2006 was about $45,000, and the average household in his native Ivory Coast is about $710 US dollars per year.

To sum up what his agent has told the press, in my mind, is this: Didier has nothing left to prove in soccer. He has played at the highest level and has been the best. Now it’s time for him to relax. Someone will pay him a lot of money eventually and he wants to make a lot of money, play in an average league, and not have to work so hard for his paychecks anymore.

He’s already coasting (1 goal and 1 assist in 10 appearances), and he’s already mentioned that his career is winding down, so why pay him big money? Beckham brought attention to the league, but his career here in the MLS, besides this year, has been average. Who wants an average player for $250 million who went on loan twice and was more productive overseas on loan than the same year for the club that is paying him $250 million (Milan in 08-09 he played in 18 games, 2 goals 5 assists vs Galaxy 09 where he played in 11 games, 2 goals 3 assists). I think that his contract, based on what he is saying, may end up the same way.

Another overpaid player who is cashing in on the MLS’ will to attract top level players is not in their best interest. Attracting a 31 year old Robbie Keane is different. Thierry Henry is different-although older, he loves the US and the culture here and it had always been a dream of his to be here.

If the Galaxy acquire Drogba, I hope I am wrong. I love Drogba as a player in his prime, and I know that he will not be the same player at 33 that he was at 28, but I really hope his attitude toward the game doesn’t change. He will do the job of raising awareness and the profile of the MLS, but at what cost?