Michael Essien Fan

Ghanaian midfielder Michael Essien was part of the Real Madrid squad that failed to adequately challenge Barcelona for the Spanish La Liga title at the end of the 2012/13 season. Despite going through the last 16 league games without a defeat under the guidance of Jose Mourinho, Real Madrid finished the season fifteen (15) points off Barcelona as the capital club failed to retain the league title won at the end of the 2011/12 Spanish La Ligaseason.

Real Madrid won the Spanish Super Cup title alone during the 2012/13 season despite a star-studded squad that had Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Kaka, Lula Modric, Sergio Ramos and many more. The capital club lost in the Champions League last four and the Copa Del Rey final.

One of the problems with the aforementioned Real Madrid team under Mourinho was a lack of team spirit and this was evident when Michael Essien celebrated his 30th birthday on December 3, 2012. .Michael Essien invited his Real Madrid teammates to his birthday party and only two players turned up to celebrate with the midfielder.
Rob Beasley told the Michael Essien story in the Jose Mourinho book known as Up Close and Personal. Mourinho describe Real Madrid in the book as a political club with warring factions.

Mourinho had to console Michael Essien who was sad that only two of his Real Madrid teammates turned up for his birthday as he told the midfielder that it was nothing personal from the other players. The ex-Inter Milan and FC Porto boss further told Essien that his Real Madrid teammates were only bothered by themselves.

Michael Essien was right to feel aggrieved and neglected after two players honouredhim on his special day. The two players who turned up for his birthday were Luka Modric and ex-Chelsea teammate Ricardo Carvalho.

Ghanaian midfielder Michael Essien started his professional career in Europe at Bastia in July 2000 while they were still in the French top flight. Essien made his Bastia debut during the league encounter with Metz on September 30, 2000. He was a substitute for club skipper Laurent Casanova in his first game at Bastia.

Michael Essien was not a regular in his first season at Bastia as the Ghanaian was deployed in different positions across the back four. His first season at Bastia ended with a goal in 13 appearances. Michael Essien scored the lone goal during the return leg against Metz in the league.

In his second season at Bastia, Michael Essien was given the opportunity to play in central midfield by manager Robert Nouzaret and he grabbed it with both hands. In his new role, Essien formed partnerships with Cyril Jeunechamp and Nicolas Dieuze netting important goals during the wins over the likes of Nantes, Guingamp and Lorient.

Essien scored the equaliser as Bastia secured an impressive 2-2 draw against hosts Marseille on January 12, 2002. The Ghanaian star also found the back of the net during the French League Cup clash with Le Mans. Future Chelsea teammate and fellow African star Didier Drogba was also on target for Le Mans during the game.

Michael Essien became an untouchable in the Bastia starting XI under new manager Gerard Gili, but he was constantly in the spotlight for his tenacious style which earned him 12 yellow cards. He was on target in his first game of the season against Lens in a league clash that ended in a 1-1 draw. In total, Michael Essien scored six league goals, including one in the surprise 2-0 victory over Lyon who were the league title holders at the time.

Lyon paid around €7.8m to sign Michael Essien from Bastia in the summer of 2003.

Ex-Kaizer Chiefs star Hendrick‘Pule’ Ekstein has revealed that Black Stars of Ghana legend Michael Essien had an interest in the Soweto giants before he called time on his career as a professional footballer.

Ekstein talked about Michael Essien and his interest in Kaizer Chiefs in an interview with Soccer Laduma last month. According to him, the Ghana legend wanted to play for South African club football giants Kaizer Chiefs before retirement. Continue reading ESSIEN WANTED TO PLAY FOR CHIEFS

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England international Shaun Wright-Phillips (SWP) has revealed the extent of the impact made by Michael Essien during his time at Chelsea. Shaun Wright-Phillips talked about Michael Essien and Chelsea in an exclusive interview with Bonus Finder. According to him, Chelsea players had to consider using shin pads in training because of the aggressive nature of Michael Essien.

SWP disclosed how Jose Mourinhoconsidered whether his Chelsea players should wear shin pads in training to prevent injuries as a result of the crude tackles from Essien. The English winger revealed how the Ghanaian midfielder was very aggressive during training. He went on to say that it was a step up for him when Chelsea signed him from Manchester City. Training was extremely intense at Chelsea under Jose Mourinho as stated by Shaun Wright-Phillips. Continue reading SWP REVEALS ESSIEN IMPACT AT CHELSEA

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Ghanaian midfielder Michael Essien has a very good relationship with Jose Mourinho dating back to their time together at Chelsea. Mourinho was the catalyst behind Chelsea paying a big fee to sign Michael Essien from Lyon in 2005.

He won the Premier League title in his first season at Stamford Bridge
Essien also played for Mourinho at Real Madrid. The Ghanaian joined Real Madrid on a season-long loan deal from Chelsea. Mourinhonarrated how he had to console Michael Essien after he was disappointed by the no shows from his Real Madrid teammates in 2012 on the occasion of his 30thbirthday. Continue reading MOURINHO CONSOLES ESSIEN ON BIRTHDAY ‘NO SHOW’

The newest Chelsea striker, well, not entirely new, because he was once their player, Romelu Lukaku looks to be getting all the love, praise, and attention he needs as he continues to be hailed by the former players of the Blues. The likes of Didier Drogba and John Terry have already hailed the club’s decision to bring back the player to Stamford Bridge and now, their former midfielder Michael Essien has also revealed how glad he is that the player has been brought back to the club by the manager Thomas Tuchel. Chelsea broke their club transfer record after paying £97 million to Italian Serie A giants Inter Milan for the signing of Lukaku and fans have been buzzing ever since.

Drogba, Lukaku’s idol while growing up, has already given the Belgium international striker his blessings to succeed at Stanford Bridge and as a continuation of the trend, Essien has also revealed what he has to say about the transfer. Former Ghana international midfielder Essien has revealed that it was a smart move by Chelsea to sign Lukaku back because he is one of the best strikers in the world.

The former Chelsea star also added that another reason why it is a good deal is that Lukaku already knows the club well and his desire and hunger to come back and make a statement is one big reason why he should be a big hit for the club. Essien also reiterated that Lukaku will be a very important signing for Chelsea this season and knowing that he scores a lot of goals should make the Blues fans very excited.
The striker could feature for Chelsea in the game against Arsenal this weekend as Chelsea will be looking to make it two wins from two.

Ghanaian football legend Michael Essien has celebrated Accra Hearts of Oak after they emerged the league champions in the top flight as far as Ghanaian club football is concerned. Michael Essien joined the Hearts of Oak celebrations via his official Instagram account.

Michael Essien described Accra Hearts of Oak as the best team in Ghana.
Hearts of Oak became the champions in the Ghana Premier League after securing an unassailable lead with one game left to play. The Phobianswere declared the Ghanaian champions with a game to spare in the 2020/21 season. Accra Hearts of Oak had not won the league title in Ghana for 12 years until the latest triumph.

Accra Hearts of Oak sealed the league title despite the draw with Liberty Professionals in theirmatchday 33 encounter as they ended their 12-year wait for a league title.

Daniel AfriyieBarnieh set Accra Hearts of Oak on their way to victory with his strike in the first half. His goal gave the hoststhe lead at the halftime break. Accra Hearts of Oak were denied a victory thanks to the late goal from Paul Kwame. The goal from Kwame ensured that Liberty Professionals left the Accra Sports Stadium with a share of the spoils.

The draw with Liberty Professionals didn’t matter much to Hearts after they were aided to the league title by arch rivals Asante Kotoko who lost to Bechem United.
Asante Kotoko needed a win to take the league title to the last day of the Ghana Premier League season. In the end, Asante Kotoko were unable to achieve the win needed as they were on the end of a 2-1 defeat to Bechem United.

Ex-Real Madrid, AC Milan and Chelsea player Michael Essien showed that his loyalty is with Hearts whom he congratulated via a post on his Instagram page. According to him, Phobians are the best team in the land.

Ghanaian football legend Michael Essien has celebrated Accra Hearts of Oak after they emerged the league champions in the top flight as far as Ghanaian club football is concerned. Michael Essien joined the Hearts of Oak celebrations via his official Instagram account.

Michael Essien described Accra Hearts of Oak as the best team in Ghana.
Hearts of Oak became the champions in the Ghana Premier League after securing an unassailable lead with one game left to play. The Phobianswere declared the Ghanaian champions with a game to spare in the 2020/21 season. Accra Hearts of Oak had not won the league title in Ghana for 12 years until the latest triumph.

Accra Hearts of Oak sealed the league title despite the draw with Liberty Professionals in theirmatchday 33 encounter as they ended their 12-year wait for a league title.

Daniel AfriyieBarnieh set Accra Hearts of Oak on their way to victory with his strike in the first half. His goal gave the hoststhe lead at the halftime break. Accra Hearts of Oak were denied a victory thanks to the late goal from Paul Kwame. The goal from Kwame ensured that Liberty Professionals left the Accra Sports Stadium with a share of the spoils.

The draw with Liberty Professionals didn’t matter much to Hearts after they were aided to the league title by arch rivals Asante Kotoko who lost to Bechem United.

Asante Kotoko needed a win to take the league title to the last day of the Ghana Premier League season. In the end, Asante Kotoko were unable to achieve the win needed as they were on the end of a 2-1 defeat to Bechem United.

Ex-Real Madrid, AC Milan and Chelsea player Michael Essien showed that his loyalty is with Hearts whom he congratulated via a post on his Instagram page. According to him, Phobians are the best team in the land.

Ex-Chelsea and Lyon midfielder Michael Essien has started his coaching career at FC Nordjaelland in the Danish league. Michael Essien has embarked on his first coaching role after being named the assistant manager at the Danish top flight club.

Michael Essien posted images of him on the touchline during preseason with FC Nordjaelland. The former Ghanaian national team player had been working with the Danish club since last season but his appointment as an assistant manager was not confirmed until this summer. Michael Essien has penned a two-year deal to become the FC Nordjaelland assistant manager until 2023.

Essien was on the touchline as an assistant manager when FC Nordjaelland thumped Dutch club Vitesse Arnhem 5-0 in their first game of preseason this summer in Farum. It was an impressive win for FC Nordjaelland at the expense of their Dutch Eredivisie opponents.

FC Nordjaelland registered two quick-fire goals in the opening minutes of the club friendly game before KamaldeenSulemanan scored a third goal for Michael Essien’s team just before the halftime break. Ghanaian youngster Ibrahim Sadiq and Simon Adinga were the recipient of the first and second goal respectively. The third goal was scored by Sulemanan who’s the subject of interest from a lot of clubs on the European continent.Sulemanan might leave FC Nordjaelland this summer if the various European teams interested in signing him step up their interest in the young attacker.

Oliver Antman and EmekaNnamani scored in the second half for FC Nordjaelland to wrap up the big victory over Vitesse.

Michael Essien hung up his boots two years ago and he has decided to venture into coaching just like some of his former Chelsea teammates like John Terry, Paulo Ferreira, Frank Lampard and many more. Apart from Chelsea and Lyon, Essien also represented Panathinaikos, AC Milan and Real Madrid during his playing career winning several major trophies in the process.

Chelsea and Ghanaian football legend Michael Essien has expressed his delight after youngster Pierre Ekwah left Chelsea to join London rivals West Ham United earlier this month. Michael Essien sent his congratulatory message to 19-year-old Ekwah via Instagram as he wished him the best of luck with his move across London to West Ham United.

Ekwahthanked ‘big brother’ Michael Essien for his congratulatory message to him. He would be hoping to establish himself as a quality Premier League midfielder just like Michael Essien did almost two decades ago when he moved to the Premier League from Lyon in the French top flight.

Essien became a Chelsea player in 2005 and he went on to justify the then club-record fee of around £26m spent on his transfer from the French Ligue 1. In his debut season with Chelsea, Essien won the Premier League title under manager Jose Mourinho.
Ekwah has a lot to do to go close to what Essien achieved during his time at Chelsea. The young midfielder was in the Chelsea u-23 team and he made six appearances for them before he was granted permission to go to West Ham United for trial. The decision to join the Hammers for trial has paid off after the club handed him a long-term contract.

While he was on trial with the Hammers, Ekwah scored against North London club Arsenal. He scored one of the goals as West Ham United u-23s and Arsenal u-23s played out a 2-2 draw. He played twice for the team while on trial.

The Hammers have given Ekwah a three-year deal with the option of a fourth year and they will pay around £1.3m to Chelsea for the young midfielder. Ekwah has a lot of work to do if he wants to break into the West Ham United midfield that has quality players like Czech Republic international Tomas Soucek and England player Declan Rice.