Brighton’s Lewis Dunk is such a big Chelsea fan his dog is called ‘Didier’… after Stamford Bridge legend Drogba
The defender faces a trip to West London tomorrow with his relegation-threatened Seagulls and will have to put his personal loyalties aside
LEWIS DUNK is such a big Chelsea fan he named his dog 'Didier'... after club legend Drogba.
The Brighton defender, 27, faces a trip to Stamford Bridge tomorrow night but will have to put personal loyalties aside.
His Seagulls side currently sit 15th, just five points clear of the relegation zone, ahead of the game against Dunk's beloved Blues.
Naturally, as a centre-back in his teenage years, Dunk aspired to be like club legend John Terry but it was the man banging in the goals, rather than preventing them, that won the pet pooch naming rights.
In an earlier in the season: "I always loved watching Drogba, but Terry was the player who I admired and looked up to the most.
"He was so good to defending and would stick his body in where it hurts and not every defender would that.
"He would put his head in wherever it was needed and although not everybody enjoys watching things like that, for me it was a joy to watch.
As a lad I never got to see Chelsea play much, but I would always watch the games on TV. There have obviously been a lot of high points over the years.
Lewis Dunk
"Obviously I didn’t know his day-to-day leadership skills on the training ground but from watching him on TV you could see what an immense captain he was, a winner who led by example."
Brighton vice-captain Dunk will be desperate to replicate some of JT's qualities as he wears the armband in Bruno's continued absence.
The England international - who made his only Three Lions cap to date against the USA in November - may not have been able to sit in the stands at the Bridge that much as a youngster, but he certainly has some standout moments as a supporter.
He added: "As a lad I was playing most weekends so never got to see Chelsea play that much, but I would always watch the games on TV.
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"One of my favourite memories is Michael Essien’s volley against Barcelona back in 2009.
"There have obviously been a lot of high points over the years but, of course, that all goes out the window [when he plays against Chelsea]."
Chris Hughton's men face a crucial fortnight in their season with homes games against Bournemouth and Cardiff after the FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City on Saturday.
