Drogba´s diving all part of the show – Diao

Didier Drogba reckons his diving antics are all part of the entertainment, says Stoke City’s Salif Diao, who will be keeping a close eye on the Chelsea striker in Sunday’s FA Cup quarter-final.

Drogba will be looking to fire English Premier League title-chasers Chelsea into a Wembley semi-final when they take on mid-table visitors Stoke at Stamford Bridge.

Diao, who stands in the Ivory Coast hitman’s way, said he was well aware of Drogba’s reputation – having been a close friend for a decade since their days playing in France.

“Myself and others tell him to stop diving,” the Senegal defensive midfielder said.

“But it’s part of the show for him: it is not cheating, but part of the entertainment. He has a winning mentality and knows what he wants.

“We call him ‘The Project’ because we see him as someone who hasn’t finished yet.

“He is not the finished striker yet because he always wants to improve.

“He’s like Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo. They know they have achieved, but they still work hard every day because they want to get even better.

“But if Didier carries on and ‘The Project’ goes its full term, then I think he will be the greatest.”

Diao is not daunted by the prospect of taking on FA Cup holders Chelsea at their west London home.

Rugged Stoke knocked Manchester City out of the cup on February 24 — three days before the Champions League spot chasers humbled Chelsea 4-2 at Stamford Bridge in the league.

“The good thing is that every time we play a big game, everyone is up for it,” Diao said.

“Nothing is impossible. We have been playing so many games where people write us completely out, but that gives us more motivation to disappoint those people.

“We believe that on our day we can beat anybody.”

The statistics are against the Potters in their first FA Cup quarter-final in 38 years.

Chelsea have won all three Premier League clashes with the Staffordshire side, including a 2-1 win this season at the Britannia Stadium.

Stoke have to go back to a League Cup tie in 1995 for their last victory over the Blues and 1934 for their last win over them in the FA Cup.

However, even Blues assistant manager Ray Wilkins is giving Tony Pulis’s side a chance.

“We play against a Stoke side that has had a fantastic season up to now, and they play with a lot of quality as well,” the former England captain said.

“We’re in for a very tough game.

“They have quality. What Tony Pulis has done has been quite exceptional and they’ve played with a lot of style at times.

“Yes, we’ll have to defend very bravely when these long throws and set plays come in but that’s part and parcel of the game and we’ll have to be up for that.”

Meanwhile Wilkins paid tribute to Blues captain John Terry, saying the centre-half coped admirably with the Wembley boo-boys as England beat African champions Egypt 3-1 on Wednesday.

“That’s the way you have to do things when things aren’t quite going your way,” the former midfielder said.

“We have no problems whatsoever with John and the atmosphere in the camp has been superb.

“John’s openly admitted he’s made a couple of errors but that’s one of those things, all players make mistakes.

“I’ve been thrilled with the way he’s played, I thought he was excellent against Egypt and we have no qualms whatsoever, he’s been in top, top form for us.”

Chelsea will be without suspended midfielder Michael Ballack and the versatile Juliano Belletti. Centre-half Ricardo Carvalho faces a late fitness test.

The Blues said Friday their Portugal full-back Jose Bosingwa was out for rest of season and the World Cup with knee injury.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side are still without injury victims Petr Cech in goal, left-back Ashley Cole and midfielder Michael Essien.