Calum Chambers and Didier Drogba shared one season in England's Premier League -- but while their clubs met twice during the 2014-15 campaign, the two were never on the pitch at the same time.
The Arsenal defender and 21-year-old England international is understandably excited, then, to test himself against the 38-year-old Chelsea legend and current Montreal Impact star in next Thursday's 2016 AT&T MLS All-Star Game in San Jose (7:30 pm ET, ESPN).
"Because of his position out there, the position he plays, it would be a good test against a player of such experience," Chambers said in a video produced by Arsenal FC, "so that would be the player I'm looking forward to playing against the most."
Chambers grew up watching Drogba shine for the West London side, racking up 104 goals and 63 assists in Premier League competition, twice winning the top flight's Golden Boot and leading Chelsea to the 2011-12 UEFA Champions League title with the equalizing goal and the winning shootout conversion against Bayern Munich.
"He just always scores important goals. Just the way he plays," Chambers said. "He's strong. He's a big character as well. So to match up against players of that sort, that's what you want to do. That's who you want to play against. So that, for me, I think, will be a great experience."
Chambers doesn't expect an easy experience, though. Drogba's production with the Impact has fallen off the scorching pace of 2015, when he arrived in Montreal, but he still has five league goals this season and 17 in all MLS competitions since making the move.
"He's always in the right place at the right time," Chambers said. "I think just the way he plays, he's got a great finish on him as well. He's strong. He's got the full package. I think that's what makes him such a handful."
