http://www.chelseafc.com/Player.asp?plid=8442

PLAYER PROFILES

Michael Essien


A protracted transfer that dragged on almost as long as the 2005 close
season finally came to an end when Michael's former club Lyon accepted a
Chelsea record fee for their star midfielder.


The 22 year-old had grown to become one of hottest properties in Europe in
his two years playing in France's second city. His dominant performances
as the team won back-to-back league titles and twice reached the Champions
League quarter-final (losing to Mourinho's Porto on the first occasion)
saw to that.


A powerhouse player who finds no difficulty in getting around the pitch,
he earned the nickname 'The Bison'. Capable of playing deep in midfield (a
much needed understudy to Claude Makelele), Michael has also taken up more
attacking positions in France and likes to try his luck shooting from
distance. Jose Mourinho has described the player as 'multifunctional'.
The reported ￡24.4 million price tag reflects this.


Michael grew up Accra, capital of his homeland Ghana, and the city that
also gave the world Marcel Desailly. Unlike the our former 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 it was to Corsica he
went, signing 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
would never look back.


Bastia reached the French Cup Final in 2002 and the following summer
Michael made the move to league champions Lyon for 7.8 million euros. Last
season he was voted Player of the Year in France before making no secret
of his desire to move to the Premiership with Chelsea where he made his
debut as a sub against Arsenal just two days after signing. He is the most
expensive African footballer in the world.