Samuel OseiKuffour hails the efforts of Michael Essien

Former Ghana international Samuel OseiKuffour has praised compatriot Michael Essien and believes the midfielder is the best player the country has ever produced. The former Bayern Munich ace played alongside Essien for the Black Stars between 2002 and 2006 and according to him, the 35-year-old had the best understanding of the game among his teammates.

Speaking to Metro TV, he said:“At the 2006 World Cup we (Ghana) believed that we could do something great and we had very good players like Appiah and Essien. And for me, Essien is the best Ghana player I ever played with in the Black Stars. He understands the game and makes it easier for his teammates whenever he is on the field.”

Essien grew in stature during his time with Chelsea in the Premier League and with the Blues, he went on to win two Premier League titles, four FA Cups and the prestigious Champions League. Despite this, he was not much of a regular during the backend of his Blues career where he was hampered by multiple fitness concerns and this eventually saw him part ways with the club.

Essien has since plyed his trade for the likes of AC Milan and Panathinaikos before enjoying a stint with Indonesian outfit Persib Bandung in the Far East. Of late, the midfielder has been released from Bandung but he is supposedly said to have no plans of quitting the game with several Malaysian clubs now said to be vying for his signature.

Regardless of this, Essien is understood to have the ambition of returning to Ghana before the conclusion of his playing career as he aims to play for the Liberty Professionals. Essien was lured to France with Bastia without making a single appearance for his hometown club but he remains keen to realise the dream of playing for the club before calling quits to the beautiful game.