MICHAEL ESSIEN SET TO LEAVE GREEK CLUB

Ex-Chelsea powerhouse defender, Michael Essien is set to leave his Greek club after getting few playing time this season.

The Ghanaian legend has been unsettled at the Greek giants since making that career switch during the summer window on a free transfer. Essien played for Olympique Lyon in 2003 before moving to Chelsea in 2005 for 38 million Euros. He went on loan to Spanish Giant Real Madrid in 2012 before returning to Stamford Bridge. He left on a free transfer to AC Milan in 2013 before joining his current club in 2015.

The battling midfielder has been down the pecking order for a long period. Essien has made just 13 appearances and scored one goal for Andrea Stramaccioni’s side. The 33-year old has struggled with the club due to his performance and injury worries. Even when the player became fit, Stramaccioni opted against fielding the Ghana international.

The player last played for The Greens on March 13 as a second half substitute in the 4-1 defeat at Olympiakos Football club. He missed the first 11 games of the season in the Super League starting from august till November due to tear in the abductor muscle. He returned in the game against Iraklis where they eventually lost by a lone goal. He has been switching between Central Midfield and Defensive Midfield for the Greek outfit since joining them. He has not played the last four games for the club in the Super League. He has not even being added to the squad in the last three games and missed the epic 6-0 thrashing of Panthrakikos on Tuesday.

The new Panathinaikos technical director Giberto Silva will decide on the future of the obviously unhappy defender. The Greek club is set to cut him loose. Essien voiced out his frustrations last month when interviewed. He said:

“There is no concern for injuries to my discussions with the coaching staff. Not due to technical reasons or any problem related to football. It must be something else, but I guess that is something that must be answered by someone else.”