- Name: Michael Eissien
- Nationality: Ghanaian
- Date of Birth: 03/12/1982
- Height: 1.78m
- Weight: 83.35kg
- Position: Midfielder
- Previous Clubs: Lyon, Bastia
- Current Club: Chelsea
Nicknamed ‘the bison’ for his tough tackling style, boundless energy and physical presence on the pitch, Eissien is an all-round midfielder who can play multiple midfield roles ie, defensively and offensively. He can turn a game on its head with his tantalising runs and dribbles when the need arises. Eissien has also scored important, breath-taking goals for his club as well as his country.
Eissien’s break through to high level football was the chance he got to play in the 1999 FIFA U-17 World Championship in New Zealand. In July 2000, Essien was signed by French club Bastia. In the 2002–03 season, he helped Bastia to qualify for the UEFA Cup, scoring six goals that season. From there he moved on to Lyon and finally landed in July 2005.
He made his Chelsea debut as a second half substitute against Arsenal on August 21, 2005. Eissien soon cemented his place in José Mourinho's side, starting in 31 domestic league games, and 11 appearances in the other cup competitions.
Essien was nominated for the 2006 FIFA World Player of the Year Award where he placed 22nd. He was nominated for the 2006 Ballon d'Or. He was voted as the Best African Footballer of the Year in 2006, a feat he achieved in 2005 as well. Eissien also won the 2006 BBC African footballer of the year award.
Chelsea fans voted Essien as Chelsea Player of the Year for his contributions in the 2006–07 season, becoming the first African to receive the honour. His last minute dramatic goal against Arsenal, which fetched Chelsea a crucial draw, was voted as Chelsea Goal of the Season for 2006–07.
On May 6 2009, Essien scored a stunning left-footed volley in the second leg of the Champions League semi-final against FC Barcelona, a tie which Chelsea ultimately lost due to the away goal rule. The goal was later voted 2008-09 goal of the season by the Chelsea fans.
He is in sparkling form current season too, scoring three excellent goals in the league.
Eissien made his debut for Ghana in the 2002 African Nations Cup against Morocco in January, 2002. He was part of the team that represented Ghana at the 2006 World Cup in Germany. Essien played in Ghana's 0–2 defeat to Italy, their 2–0 victory over the Czech Republic, and the 2–1 victory over the United States, and helped Ghana become the only African team to reach the second round of the 2006 World Cup.
In the 2008 African Cup of Nations Essien turned in another brilliant performance, taking the team to the semifinals with his power-packed performances. In the quarter-final against Nigeria, when team captain John Mensah was dismissed for a professional foul, Essien took over the captaincy for the rest of the game and eventually won 2-1.
The knee injury sustained by Essien with the Black Stars prior to the African Nations Cup in January has ruled him out of the tournament in South Africa despite being named in the provisional 30-man squad.
|
