Didier Drogba Calls Out Chelsea Player After Benfica Win — Tells Coach Maresca to Bench Him Despite Victory

Chelsea fans were celebrating after a solid win over Benfica, but behind the scenes, controversy was brewing. Legendary Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has reportedly made headlines after privately urging new head coach Enzo Maresca to bench a current first-team player — despite the team’s overall success.

According to close sources, Drogba expressed disappointment over the unnamed player’s performance, reportedly stating, “Despite the win, his performance was unacceptable — bench him.”

The comments came as a surprise to many, particularly because the player in question received a 4/10 match rating, which—while below average—is not considered catastrophic. However, for a club of Chelsea’s ambitions and legacy, standards remain extremely high, especially under the scrutiny of former icons like Drogba.

Drogba Holds High Standards for Chelsea
Didier Drogba is widely respected not only as a Chelsea legend but also as a figure of football integrity. With four Premier League titles and a historic Champions League win under his belt, Drogba understands what it takes to wear the badge — and he’s not afraid to voice concerns.

Insiders claim that Drogba made the remark in a post-match conversation with Enzo Maresca, Chelsea’s newly appointed head coach. Maresca, who has just begun implementing his tactical vision, now finds himself in the middle of a balancing act between respecting club legends and standing by his own player decisions.

Mixed Reaction from Fans
Chelsea supporters have been divided in their reaction. Some applaud Drogba’s honesty and hold similar opinions about the player’s poor showing against Benfica. Others feel the comments were too harsh, especially following a team victory.

One fan wrote on social media:
“Drogba is a legend, but maybe he should let Maresca handle his squad. A win is a win.”

Another tweeted:
“He’s right. A 4/10 rating in a key match is not good enough. Maresca needs to enforce standards.”

Who Could the Player Be?
Speculation is rampant over which Chelsea player Drogba was referring to. While names have not been confirmed, fans and pundits have pointed to underwhelming performances from a few key starters. Whether Maresca will act on Drogba’s suggestion remains to be seen.

Pressure on Enzo Maresca
Enzo Maresca, still early in his Chelsea tenure, is under pressure to prove he can handle big personalities and expectations. Balancing input from club legends like Drogba with his own management style will be critical in building team unity and consistency.

Conclusion:
Didier Drogba’s alleged comments after the Benfica match have reignited the conversation around performance standards at Chelsea. While the team came away with a win, individual performances remain under the microscope. Whether Maresca chooses to bench the player in question or back his squad will be a telling sign of how he plans to lead the Blues forward.