Fans of Portsmouth rivals Ipswich living in hope as new co-owner makes Didier Drogba goal claim

That’s despite the now 43-year-old Chelsea legend hanging up his boots more than two years go, following a stint at American side Phoenix Rising.

Ipswich now managed by former Pompey boss Paul Cook, have struggled for goals this season.

They’ve recorded just 41 from their 43 league games to date, with only Northampton and relegated Bristol Rovers (both 40) scoring fewer.

In fact, the Portman Road side have not scored in their past six outings, with 619 minutes passing since Alan Judge netted in a 2-1 win against Bristol Rovers on April 2.

That’s contributed to Ipswich’s play-off push fizzling out under Cook.

But with new owners now in place at Portman Road, focus is very much on the future and what can be achieved from next season onwards.

Bakay is part of the Gamechanger 20 Ltd group that owns close to 90 per cent of the Tractor Boys.

He’s also credited with persuading Drogba to join Phoenix Rising in 2017-18 and also buy a stake in the Arizona club.

And when jokingly asked by the East Anglian Daily Times if the former Premier League and Ivory Coast striker would do a job at fixing Ipswich’s goalscoring problems, Bakay was in no doubt that he could.

Although, he quipped, he would have to run the idea past Cook and new CEO Mark Ashton before making a move!

Bakey joked: ‘Well, we need to ask our manager and our incoming CEO but can he do the job? Yes, he can do that job!

‘I mean, he’s incredible.

‘I don’t know if he would like to do the job, I haven’t talked to him about that, but can he do the job? I think he would destroy League One if you’re asking my opinion!

‘He’d scored 25 goals – I’d take a bet on that!’

Those 25 goals would be a marked improvement on current top-scorer James Norwood’s tally (7).

Saying that, it would also put in the shade John Marquis’ 16 goals for Pompey this season.

Ipswich fans can live in hope!