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Michael Essien, the former Chelsea midfielder who currently plays for Greek club Panathinaikos might be leaving soon for the Azerbaijan team Qarabag.

The midfielder has been criticizing for his nonchalant display by his coach.

Panathinaikos’ coach Andrea Stramaccioni was not satisfied by Michael Essien performance in an important match against Olympiacos. Some report that his performance was just because he was not selected as part of the starting 11. In any case, there are rumors that this might have been his last performance with the Greek club.

Michael Essien replaced Lucas Martín Villafanez with 20 minutes left to play and was not really pleased. This was shown by his attitude on the pitch where he played at a pedestrian pace.

Essien joined the Greek side in the summer and managed only 13 appearances for them. It is believed that the Panathinaikos coach will inform his board that he will not allow Essien to play again for his team and that he could be sold.

Premier League fans will best remember Michael Essien from his time at Chelsea. He signed for the Premier League side in 2005 from Lyon and established himself as one of the most valuable players on the London team. He made his debut in a game against Arsenal, which his side won 1-0. He went on to make 256 appearances for Chelsea and scored 25 goals in the process. He won the Premier League 2 times with Chelsea, 4 FA Cup trophies, 1 League Cup as well the Champions League.

In 2012, he went on loan to Real Madrid where he reunited with Jose Mourinho. He made 34 appearances for the Spanish team and scored 2 goals.

In 2014, he left Chelsea for Milan where he managed 22 appearances for the Italian team over the course of 2 seasons. After this, he made the switch to his current club Panathinaikos.

Despite the recent reports which have emerged linking Michael Essien with a move away from the Greek club Panathinaikos, the Ghanaian midfielder is not leaving his current club anytime soon as the veteran player has turned into a fans favorite who has helped Panathinaikos in winning crucial matches.

Michael Essien joined Panathinaikos on June of 2015 but it wasn’t until 3 months later that he managed to make his official debut performance. Essien wasn’t able to get into the pitch immediately after signing with the Greek club due to a leg injury but the Ghanaian player has turned into a consistent starter for the club.

Despite the recent reports which have emerged linking Michael Essien with a move away from the Greek club Panathinaikos, the Ghanaian midfielder is not leaving his current club anytime soon as the veteran player has turned into a fans favorite who has helped Panathinaikos in winning crucial matches.

Michael Essien joined Panathinaikos on June of 2015 but it wasn’t until 3 months later that he managed to make his official debut performance. Essien wasn’t able to get into the pitch immediately after signing with the Greek club due to a leg injury but the Ghanaian player has turned into a consistent starter for the club.

Samuel Eto’o has been attempting to lure Michael Essien to Antalyaspor but his attempts have been in vain as Essien is a fans favorite and important player for Panathinaikos. Essien’s contract with the Greek club expires in 2017 and he is expected to last the total duration of his deal.

Eto’o is serving as a player-manager of Antalyaspor and the Cameroonian is searching around for possible players who could be signed and upgrade his team, Essien was one of the players in his watch-list but the former Chelsea player seems to be locked up in Panathinaikos.

Essien was recently named as the most influential Ghanaian footballer of 2015 as he received more votes than Kevin-Prince Boateng and KwadwoAsamoah. This shows the impact that Essien has had in the world of football who even at the age of 33 still continues performing at a high level and that managed to score his first goal for Panathinaikos back in January 24 as he is proving to be a player who can not only serve in the defensive department of a club but also help out in scoring goals as well, although not at a consistent basis.

Chelsea interim manager Guus Hiddink believes that he might have inherited a better squad in his first spell at the club back in 2009.

The Dutchman recently returned for a second spell as the interim manager at the club. His first spell was extremely successful with the club winning the FA Cup and also going on to reach the Champions League semifinals. They were narrowly beaten by Barcelona in the semifinals, but Chelsea were clearly the better team over the two legs back then. A crucial part of the success of achieved by Hiddink in his first spell was <a href="http://www.homeofarsenal.com".due to the presence of players like Michael Essien, Frank Lampard, and Didier Drogba.

Chelsea interim manager Guus Hiddink believes that he might have inherited a better squad in his first spell at the club back in 2009.

The Dutchman recently returned for a second spell as the interim manager at the club. His first spell was extremely successful with the club winning the FA Cup and also going on to reach the Champions League semifinals. They were narrowly beaten by Barcelona in the semifinals, but Chelsea were clearly the better team over the two legs back then. A crucial part of the success of achieved by Hiddink in his first spell was <a href="http://www.homeofarsenal.com".due to the presence of players like Michael Essien, Frank Lampard, and Didier Drogba.

None of these players are available to him right now. Only a handful of players from the famous squad – like John Terry – are left him a team. Hiddink had to start his regime with a draw against Watford at home. He would have been hoping to take three points from the game. It would have been possible had it not been for the missed penalty by Oscar late in the game. The match finished as a 2-2 draw. The primary objective forHiddink will be to get Chelsea back into the race for the top four. The club are struggling near the relegation zone after having won the title only a few months ago.

“Although back then the players also didn’t perform well, but we had Drogba, Lampard, Ballack, Essien. It’s difficult to compare,” said Hiddink. Essien was considered as one of the finest defensive midfielders of his generation. He was later transformed into the box to box player. The Ghanaian midfielder is currently with Panathinaikos, but he has nowhere been near his best in recent years after his career was curtailed by a number of injuries.

Stoke City manager Mark Hughes believes that Chelsea will not be in a poor form throughout the campaign. He also says that changing the manager may not be the right choice for the West London outfit.

Hughes played for the club and was even close to being appointed as a manager a few years ago. He is no longer a contender for the Chelsea job. Jose Mourinho may be sacked if results do not improve. Even though the club only recently issued a statement offering full support to the manager, it would be hard not to get anxious after the latest 2-1 defeat against West Ham.

Stoke City manager Mark Hughes believes that Chelsea will not be in a poor form throughout the campaign. He also says that changing the manager may not be the right choice for the West London outfit.

Hughes played for the club and was even close to being appointed as a manager a few years ago. He is no longer a contender for the Chelsea job. Jose Mourinho may be sacked if results do not improve. Even though the club only recently issued a statement offering full support to the manager, it would be hard not to get anxious after the latest 2-1 defeat against West Ham.

Mourinho is likely to receive a new fine after being sent off to the stands in this game. However, he will be in the dugout for the League Cup match against Stoke. This will be followed by a mammoth encounter against Liverpool next week. Since there are very few alternatives readily available at the moment, Chelsea have been backing their manager. Carlo Ancelotti and Guus Hiddink are some of the names and both have experience of being in charge of Chelsea. Since Jose Mourinho signed a long-term contract only a few months ago, it would cost in excess of £ 20 million to sack him.

“He says it himself that he’s a top manager. He’s the best manager Chelsea have ever had so why would they change him?I don’t anticipate they’ll be in the position they are for too much longer. They seem to be struggling to get points on the board when maybe in the past you’d expect them to. Sometimes teams go through this period, whatever level you are and quality you have. Chelsea have quality right through the squad that will enable them to come through these moments I’m sure,” said Hughes.

Ahead of one of the fiercest derbies in English football, former Manchester United and Liverpool striker Michael Owen has praised Luke Shaw.

The defender moved to United last summer for an astronomical transfer fee coupled with huge questions about the wages. Chelsea manager José Mourinho was believed to be interested in signing Shaw. However, he stated that once the West London outfit, who are backed by one of the richest men in England, learnt about the wage demands of the player, they did not think twice about backing out. Their decision seemed to correct at least last season when Shaw spent most of the season on the sidelines.

Ahead of one of the fiercest derbies in English football, former Manchester United and Liverpool striker Michael Owen has praised Luke Shaw.

The defender moved to United last summer for an astronomical transfer fee coupled with huge questions about the wages. Chelsea manager José Mourinho was believed to be interested in signing Shaw. However, he stated that once the West London outfit, who are backed by one of the richest men in England, learnt about the wage demands of the player, they did not think twice about backing out. Their decision seemed to correct at least last season when Shaw spent most of the season on the sidelines.

The England international has made an incredible recovery from his injury troubles. United manager Louis van Gaal especially was critical of him in front of the media. He believed that Shaw did not have the fitness necessary to play for United. Shaw had been one of the huge success stories for the Southampton youth academy, but it is an entirely different proposition to play for United where matches come thick and fast. The enormous turnaround in fortunes experienced by Shaw, who has already racked up 360 minutes of league action, has led to Owen coming out in huge praise ahead of this crucial clash.

“This was an easy decision.He is a real favourite of mine in many ways. He’s a fabulous football player. He is going to be a mainstay for Manchester United and England for many years to come,” said the former United striker about his decision to name Shaw in the starting line-up that will take on Liverpool. Liverpool come to Old Trafford on a disastrous run of form that has so far seen them take only one victory in the campaign. Even that was against newly promoted Bournemouth.

Former Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien has ended his career in the top leagues after securing a move to Panathinaikos in the Greek league.

The 32-year-old has been plagued by injury problems for the last couple of years. It has robbed him of the quality, which many have come to see during his time at Chelsea. His initial few years at the West London club gave the world a taste of his best football. He remains as one of the few Ghanaian footballers to have won the Premier League, the FA Cup and the Champions League.

Former Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien has ended his career in the top leagues after securing a move to Panathinaikos in the Greek league.

The 32-year-old has been plagued by injury problems for the last couple of years. It has robbed him of the quality, which many have come to see during his time at Chelsea. His initial few years at the West London club gave the world a taste of his best football. He remains as one of the few Ghanaian footballers to have won the Premier League, the FA Cup and the Champions League.

A moved to AC Milan – initially on a loan deal – appeared to have him resurrect his career that had grown to a standstill since 2008. It was the first time Essien suffered a major knee injury, but it appears that he has not recovered from it just yet. Essien spent the last two seasons at Milan, but he made only a grand total of 22 appearances in all competitions. He was apparently keen on making up for the lost time in football and only a move to a club where he gets regular football seemed obvious.Panathinaikos appeared to have promised him exactly that. Even though Greece is unstable politically and financially, Essien has decided to take the plunge.

“I am very happy that I am here and that I will continue my career in Panathinaikos. I am looking forward to meet my new team and win trophies with my new team-mates. I want to give back the love that everyone has shown me and to thank the fans that welcomed me so warmly,” said the player, who has signed a two-year contract. The club finished as the runners up in the Greek super league and will be hoping for a title backed by the presence of Essien.

Michael Essien completed his move from Chelsea to Ac.Milan on January of 2014 but the Ghanian footballer has not really made an impact at the Italian club as he isn’t a regular starter and even when he does get into the main team, his influence is not substantial.

You can see him on the pitch but not really finding his ground in most of the matches where he performs in.

The contract of Essien expires at the end of the season in the summer and the 32 year old midfielder is being linked with a move to India as well as the United States.

The Indian Super League is growing and it has attracted a number of high profile footballers including: Alessandro Del Piero, David Trezeguet and Nicolas Anelka. A move to India isn’t so far-fetched to believe.

Michael Essien completed his move from Chelsea to Ac.Milan on January of 2014 but the Ghanian footballer has not really made an impact at the Italian club as he isn’t a regular starter and even when he does get into the main team, his influence is not substantial.

You can see him on the pitch but not really finding his ground in most of the matches where he performs in.

The contract of Essien expires at the end of the season in the summer and the 32 year old midfielder is being linked with a move to India as well as the United States.

The Indian Super League is growing and it has attracted a number of high profile footballers including: Alessandro Del Piero, David Trezeguet and Nicolas Anelka. A move to India isn’t so far-fetched to believe.

The best years of Michael Essien were spent with Chelsea as he helped the English club in securing 2 Premier League titles, 4 FA Cup’s, 1 League Cup, 1 Community Shield and 1 Champions League silverware. That’s the highest amount of trophies that Essien has secured for a single club.

Making a switch to the American League, MLS is a trend that continues to grow as more and more veteran players are choosing to take this option and there are 2 clubs that have shown an interest in signing Michael Essien, Orlando City Soccer Club and the New York Red Bulls are the clubs that have an expressed an interest in sign the Ghanaian midfielder and might attempt to sign him during the approaching summer transfer window.

It seems highly unlikely that Ac.Milan are considering keeping hold of Michael Essien beyond this summer as the Italian club is going through a number of changes not only in the squad but also in ownership of the club as Silvio Berlusconi is on the verge of selling a majority stake of Ac.Milan over to the Thai businessman Bee Taechaubol and Bee does not seem to have Essien in his plans as the millionaire has plans of removing some of the older players who do not play an important role in the team and Michael Essien is one of them.

AC Milan midfielder Michael Essien says that the club are definitely going through one of most difficult times in their history, but he is confident that they’ll be able to come away from this in successful manner.

The former Chelsea midfielder signed for the club on a permanent basis in 2014 after a few loan spells. He has never been able to recapture the form that he showed during the period from 2005 to 2008. This is due to a succession of knee injuries, which have robbed him of the high fitness levels that were a major feature of his game.

AC Milan midfielder Michael Essien says that the club are definitely going through one of most difficult times in their history, but he is confident that they’ll be able to come away from this in successful manner.

The former Chelsea midfielder signed for the club on a permanent basis in 2014 after a few loan spells. He has never been able to recapture the form that he showed during the period from 2005 to 2008. This is due to a succession of knee injuries, which have robbed him of the high fitness levels that were a major feature of his game.

Along with Essien, Milan have a number of players who have been struggling with their game for long time. This has contributed to the decline of the club despite the presence of Filippo Inzaghi. Regarded as one of the club’s greatest players, the former striker took over from Clarence Seedorf in the summer and he has been unable to spark a revival. Essien, though, reckons that in the bad times will be over soon and that Milan will once again be challenging for top spot in the Italian Serie A. The club are already 11 points adrift of Europa league places and are in the 10th spot.

“We are going through a difficult time, we have to stick together and try to change the situation. The mood in the dressing room is good and we are trying to do our best. These occasions occur in football, we must not let our heads drop, instead we keep going heads-on. We have the quality to get out of this crisis, we are working hard to improve,” said Essien. Interestingly, the Ghana midfielder was linked with a move to Russian football just a few months after his arrival to the San Siro.

Olympiakos suffered a close defeat in the European Cup game against Juventus.

They were ahead by 2-1 in that game, but, then some misfortune and also some defensive blunders caused them to concede a couple of goals within 60 seconds and the recovery did not happen from there.

It was Olympiakos second defeat in 4 games. However, they are still holding the no. 2 spot in the Group ‘A’ table.

Ahead of Olympiakos is the previous season’s runner up Atletico Madrid. They are three points clear at the top.

Olympiakos suffered a close defeat in the European Cup game against Juventus.

They were ahead by 2-1 in that game, but, then some misfortune and also some defensive blunders caused them to concede a couple of goals within 60 seconds and the recovery did not happen from there.

It was Olympiakos second defeat in 4 games. However, they are still holding the no. 2 spot in the Group ‘A’ table.

Ahead of Olympiakos is the previous season’s runner up Atletico Madrid. They are three points clear at the top.

The 4th team in the group i.e. Malmo FF is almost out of the qualification race as they only have 3 points. Their goal differential is not that encouraging either. It’s -7 which means even if they win their last two games and get to 9 points, they still would find it hard to make it through.

As far as Olympiakos is concerned, out of the two matches that they have to play, one is against Atletico, while, the other one is against Malmo.

Atletico is definitely going to prove to be very tough, but, Malmo should not trouble the Greek side that much.

Olympiakos, however, needs to improve their goal differential. Juventus’ goal differential is better than that of them. So, they will have to try and win their game against Malmo by a big margin. They would not want to be in a situation where they get knocked out because of worse goal differential.

So far Olympiakos has shaken the net of the opposition 6 times, while, their own net has been shaken 7 times.

In the case of Juventus, which plays the Italian top division, the no. of goals scored and the no. of goals conceded are 5 and 4 respectively.

Former Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien believes that Manchester United are not able to perform well defensively due to the absence of Nemanja Vidic.

The Serbian defender joined Inter Milan on a free transfer this summer. This brought an end to his long spell at United. After joining the club in 2006, Vidic formed an impeccable partnership with Rio Ferdinand. This formed the basis for United winning numerous titles including the Champions League in 2008. Even though the 33-year-old’s form has dipped severely since joining Inter Milan, Essien says that United could have done with the experience of the Serbian.

Former Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien believes that Manchester United are not able to perform well defensively due to the absence of Nemanja Vidic.

The Serbian defender joined Inter Milan on a free transfer this summer. This brought an end to his long spell at United. After joining the club in 2006, Vidic formed an impeccable partnership with Rio Ferdinand. This formed the basis for United winning numerous titles including the Champions League in 2008. Even though the 33-year-old’s form has dipped severely since joining Inter Milan, Essien says that United could have done with the experience of the Serbian.

United boss Louis Van Gaal has had to deal with several injury problems, especially in the defence, since taking over from David Moyes in the summer. The Dutchman has only just started seeing better results at the club, but he has been criticised for not making sufficient reinforcements in the defence. The club spent more than £ 150 million on new players in the summer but only a handful of them were defensive minded individuals. After losing the likes of Patrice Evra, Rio Ferdinand, and Nemanja Vidic in one summer, many reckon that United should have brought more defenders rather than attacking players like Radamel Falcao.

“I think Vidic is being missed by United because things are not really going well for them, especially when it comes to their defence.He is a top guy and a really good defender. He gives everything and puts his body down for every tackle. It will be good to face him in another league,” said the former Chelsea star, whose own future at AC Milan continues to be heavily speculated after the arrival of Filippo Inzaghi. Essien came to Milan on a permanent basis only recently, but he has already been linked with a move to Russia.