No mercy for old pal Didier, vows Beye

May 5 2008 by Luke Edwards, The Journal

HABIB Beye plans to renew acquaintances with his old friend Didier Drogba with a kick when Chelsea arrive at St James’s Park this afternoon.

Beye played with Drogba at Marseille and the pair have remained close following the striker’s £24m move to Chelsea three years ago, with the striker playing an important role in helping to persuade the right-back to move to England last summer when Newcastle made their bid.

But there will be few signs of that friendship when the two meet again at St James’s Park, with Beye even suggesting in the pre-match build up that his former team-mate was guilty of diving to gain an unfair advantage.

“We played together for one year at Marseille and we reached the Uefa Cup final and had good times together,” said Beye, who has refused to take any calls from the Ivory Coast international this week because he wants to focus on the game. “He is a big player, one of the best in the world.

“We can be friends, but not during the game. I haven’t spoken to him yet. If I call him he will want to joke with me, but I don’t want to joke with him. Why not? Because I know him well. He will want to say how if I come on his side he will be able to do everything.

“I played against him for Senegal when we played against the Ivory Coast. He played down my side and he did nothing, but this is different, I don’t want to say anything that might make him angry in case he has the game of his life.

“Do I have any advice on how to deal with him? Give him a friendly kick or step on his feet, especially if it is cold. Maybe in the 95th minute I will kick him.”

Beye’s comments were intended to be lighthearted, although, while he defended his friend’s reputation following allegations that he is a serial diver, he admitted he does go down too easily if he feels it will win his team an advantage. Drogba has alluded to as much himself in the past, although he was angered by Rafael Benitez’s comments last week when the Liverpool manager accused him of cheating. The striker responded by scoring twice against the Reds as Chelsea booked their place in the final of the Champions League.

“The criticism of him is unfair,” said Beye. “But look how many goals he has scored, more than 30? I don’t know how many, but he is still one of the best in the world. He is strong, quick and sometimes people say he is diving. Sometimes it is the game for the strikers to do this. If you play against a strong defender, it is part of the game. You can’t say he does this all the time, but sometimes. He was the same at Marseille.

“We went to the Uefa Cup final because he was on fire. The best striker in France. He hasn’t changed his style, but it is different in England because there are some strong defenders and he has to adapt.”

Beye will be desperate to frustrate Drogba this afternoon for his own personal pride, but he is also determined to deprive both him and Chelsea the chance to win their third Premier League title in four years.

For the Senegal defender, Manchester United have been the best side in English football this season and he hopes to make sure they are crowned champions by beating the Blues to round off Newcastle’s own domestic campaign in style.

He said: “For me, United are so strong. Just look at their bench. It is unbelievable. They can play without Ronaldo, Nani, Carrick, Tevez, Rooney and they still win.

“Chelsea are strong but I can’t see United slipping up because Chelsea will lose at St James’s Park. Manchester United will win it because we will beat Chelsea.”