It is widely perceived that the Ghana national team is under a lot of trouble due to the poor form under Avram Grant.

The national team are going into the 2017 African Cup of Nations after having failed to win their last five matches in all competitions. Even in terms of the tournament itself, Ghana have an extremely poor record after not having won the title since 1982. Despite this poor record, former Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien is remaining confident that the national team will be able to make a major impact at the upcoming edition in Gabon.

Chelsea legend Michael Essien returned to the club and has been training from the club’s Cobham base.

The decorated African midfielder won several honours with the Blues, winning the Premier League, the FA Cup, League Cup, and the UEFA Champions League. The former Ghana international even won the African Footballer of the Year award in 2006 but has refused to call time on his professional football career.

Grant belongs to Israel and Israel and Egypt have been the fierce enemies of each other over the years and they still are.

The enmity is actually so fierce between these two countries that it’s not advisable for the citizens of one country to travel to the other as if you are identified as an Egypt native in Israel or as an Israel native in Egypt, you will be in danger.

Michael Essien will not be signing for Australian side Melbourne Victory this season.

There were media reports that the former Chelsea midfielder might be signing for the club but the deal has finally not materialized.

Former Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien has rejected the opportunity to join the A-league.

Melbourne Victory were very keen on signing the player who is available on a free.Essien decided to end his contract with Greek outfit Panathinaikos by mutual consent. It means that he is free to join any club across the world.Essien was identified by Melbourne Victory as someone who could be the marquee signing. Just like in the MLS, the Australian league allows a handful of names to join clubs as a marquee signing. These players would be given certain exceptions over the course of the season.

Former Chelsea player Michael Essien is reported to be keen on playing in the Australian league.

Essien has given Australian football agent an authorization to look for interested clubs ready to sign him in the A-League. The former Ghana international has featured for prominent sides – Chelsea, Real Madrid, AC Milan and others. The 33-year old player has picked Australia has his next target. He won two Premier League titles and four FA Cups with the Blues. He was part of the Champions League winning team during his eight-and-a-half year stint with Chelsea.

Former Ghana international Michael Essien picked up a football punditry role as he tries to diversify from active playing, yet within the industry. The ex-Blues and Real Madrid man was live on a panel set up on Saudi-based MBC Sports. He made his debut in a temporary studio in Craven Cottage during a game in the Saudi Super Cup, local media report.

The Ghanaian joined the punditry moved to France to launch his professional career after earlier years in Ghana. He moved to Olympique Lyon, impressed before moving to Chelsea.

Former Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien has made his first appearance as a TV pundit in Saudi Arabia.

He joins a long list of former footballers who are making money by working as a pundit. His first match has been for the game opposing Al Ahli and Al Hilal for the Saudi Super Cup. He joined a panel form of other former footballers and current coach and provided his insights on the game.

It appears that former Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien’s time in the limelight may be over already, as he is on the verge of a move to Chinese football.

A number of Ghana’s top stars likeAsamoah Gyan have moved over to Chinese football in search of the riches on offer.

The Chinese league has been spending vast sums of money in the hope of attracting top talent. As of now, they have been able to bring in only aging players or those on the wane. Essien is one of them, as numerous knee injuries have robbed him of a great career.

Ghana midfielder Michael Essien will be involved in a charity game organized by former Cameroon and Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o.

The match will be held on the 16th of July in Ankara Turkey and will feature many other international football players.