Michael Essien -The Bison (Other Football Players)

Member Name: ajbluestar

Product:	Other Football Players
Date:	09/06/09 (42 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: great player-versatile, lots of energy, strength,power,great goals

Disadvantages: team misses him when hes injured

Michael Essien was born on December 3rd 1982 in Accra,Ghana. He currently plays for Chelsea and the Ghana national football team. He is primarily a box to box midfielder who has great defensive qualities such as tackling and breaking up opposition atacks as well as being able to lend his hand in the attacking side of play. He also has a great energy level and great strength and power which has earned him the nickname of 'bison'. Jose Mourinho used the word 'multifunctional' due to his versatility and ability to play in a number of positions .The reported £24.4 million price tag which Chelsea paid Lyon for his services reflected this versatility. He is currently the most expensive African footballer in the world.

Michael grew up Accra, capital of his homeland Ghana, and the city that also gave the world Marcel Desailly. Unlike the former Chelsea captain, Michael remained in Africa into adulthood, playing for his country at junior levels and beginning his club football at Liberty Professionals.

His profile was raised by a third-place finish for Ghana in the Under 17s World Cup which led to a trial at Man United but he signed to play in the French league with Bastia.

At first he was used to fill a variety of positions across the defence but could not hold down a regular place. Then injury left a vacancy in midfield and Michael cemented his place there. Bastia reached the French Cup Final in 2002 and the following summer he made the move to league champions Lyon for 7.8 million euros.

He was voted Player of the Year in France while at the club and shone as Lyon became one the Champions League's most feared teams, but he made no secret of his desire to move to the Premier League. After his big money move, Michael's Chelsea debut came as a sub against Arsenal in August 2005, the start of an understated first season in London. In his first season Chelsea won the premier league giving them back to back league titles.

An impressive World Cup in Germany followed, where he was Ghana's best player and unfortunate to be suspended for the defeat by Brazil. He won the FA Cup and Carling Cup with Chelsea in the 2006-07 season and was voted Chelsea fans player of the year (the first African to achieve this award at the club). He also received Chelsea's goal of the season award for his fabulous strike against Arsenal in the Premier League.

He was nominated for the prestigious 2007 FIFA World Player of the Year Award for the third consecutive year and was also nominated for the 2007 Ballon d'Or Award for the third consecutive year as well. He was voted 15th Best Player in the World at the 2007 FIFA World Player of the Year Awards. Essien was also nominated for the 2007 African Footballer of the Year a third consecutive time he had been nominated. He was Runner-up to that year's winner Frédéric Kanouté.

Essien signed a new five-year deal with Chelsea in the summer of 2008, keeping him at the club until 2013. He suffered an Anterior cruciate ligament injury whilst on International duty with Ghana in September 2008 and it was feared he would miss the rest of the season. He did come back though in a game against Coventry City in the Fa Cup on March 7 2008. He returned in blistering form and scored some crucial goals helping Chelsea to the Champions league semi final. In the second leg tie against Barcelona he scored a stunning left foot volley which was later voted Chelsea's goal of the season despite Chelsea losing the tie in the end. He was part of the team that won the Fa Cup beating Everton in the final.

Essien is a fantastic player. He is one of the most valuable players at Chelsea currently. It is no coincidence that Chelsea's form improved once he came back to the team after injury. He has great energy levels and helps to drive the team forward. John Terry and Frank Lampard are probably the most important players to Chelsea but this guy runs them close. He is probably one of the players that most teams would love to have in their team. He also has a tendency to score some cracking goals. He is currently in his prime at the age of 27 so should have some great years to come ahead of him.

Summary: great player!