Ivory Coast’s players to watch at the 2010 World Cup

Didier Drogba (Chelsea, England) – Forward, born 1978. Caps 67. Goals 44.

It is hard to see past the imposing figure of Drogba when thinking of Ivory Coast. As captain he leads the team on and off the pitch, and is held in the highest regard by Elephants fans. Ivorians have even named a drink after him; the ‘Drogba’ is a one litre bottle of Bock beer, big and strong like its namesake. Too much of either Drogba, however, can cause a headache. The mercurial striker can be moody, petulant and notoriously difficult to work with. Those fans who have followed Chelsea’s fortunes in the English Premier League over the last six seasons will know that when Drogba does not get what he wants, the whole team can suffer as a result.

But such unpredictability is part of what makes Drogba so watchable. When he is not showing his undoubtable talent through powerful hold up play and a towering dominance in the air, he never strays too far from the limelight. Now 32, South Africa in 2010 may represent his last chance to make a real impact at the World Cup. With such an impressive strike rate for club and country Drogba carries much of the goal scoring responsibility at this year’s tournament. The real interest, however, will be in watching how the Elephants fare when Drogba is not performing well. If the rest of the team can push their way out of his shadow in South Africa, then it bodes well not just for this World Cup, but for the future of Ivory Coast.

Salomon Kalou (Chelsea, England) – Forward, born 1985. Caps 28. Goals 11.

Drogba’s Chelsea team-mate Kalou represents the counterpoint to the imposing captain. Unlike the reverence held for Drogba, after applying for Dutch citizenship for the chance to play at the 2006 World Cup, Kalou was disowned by many Ivorian fans. He finally followed in the footsteps of his brother, Bonaventure Kalou, making his debut in February 2007.

Unlike Drogba, he is fast, young, and offers a threat from the wings as well as up front. Former Dutch Football Talent of the Year, in 2005, and the Confederation of African Football Young Player of the Year, in 2008, Kalou could represent the future of Ivory Coast. While he is not guaranteed a starting place alongside his more famous captain, if Drogba’s robust techniques fail then Salomon Kalou could represent something the team has struggled with in recent memory, an effective Plan B.

Gervais Yao ‘Gervinho’ Kouassi (Lille, France) – Forward, born 1987. Caps 14. Goals 4.

The unknown quantity in the Ivory Coast strike force. The Ivorian with the Brazilian nickname is only 22, but after scoring twice against Guinea in the final qualification match for the World Cup he has forced his way into the first team. Linked with London clubs Arsenal and Tottenham, Gervinho moved to Lille from Le Mans in 2009 for a fee of 8 million Euros. Having captained the Ivory Coast Olympic football team, he will not be fazed by the big stage, and the 5’11” striker, who can also play as a winger, will be keen to make an impression in South Africa.

Kolo Toure (Manchester City, England) – Defender, born 1981. Caps 77. Goals 2.

The backbone of a solid defence. Making his debut as a 19 year old, the former Arsenal defender will be hoping that the Elephants’ record of conceding only 6 goals in 12 games during qualification can be continued against the likes of Brazil and Portugal. After a stuttering first season at new employers Manchester City, however, he will view the World Cup as a chance to prove his own quality, as well as that of Ivory Coast.

Yaya Toure (Barcelona, Spain) – Midfielder, born 1983. Caps 46. Goals 5.

Younger brother to Kolo, Yaya Toure also has something to prove. On the sidelines at Barcelona after three seasons with the Catalan giants, the defensive midfielder is a product of the famed Sol Beni academy. Elephants fans will be hoping for a goal from the 6’3” box-to-box player, as whenever he has found the net in previous matches, Ivory Coast have won the game.

Boubacar Barry (Lokoren, Belgium) – Goalkeeper, born 1979. Caps 43.

Hugely popular with fans, Barry has received both awards and ridicule in Belgium for his wildly inconsistent performances. As first choice ‘keeper for Ivory Coast, however, he will have to show some consistency if they are to progress.