How Michael Essien silenced his Chelsea critics

by Austin Ditlhobolo

Tuesday Aug 20, 2024. 15:00

Ghanaian football legend Michael Essien has opened up about how he silenced his critics at English giants Chelsea FC.

In August 2005, French giants Olympique Lyonnais and Chelsea agreed a £24.4 million fee for Essien, ending one of the longest-running transfer sagas.

At the time, the fee made Essien Chelsea’s most expensive signing of all time, surpassing the £24 million Chelsea paid for Ivorian football icon Didier Drogba the previous European summer.

Much was expected from the Accra-born retired midfielder at the London club and he lived up to expectations.

“My dream was to play in the Premier League, and when the opportunity came, I jumped on it. It was great to represent Ghana in the Premier League,” Essien said on Ghana Soccer Net.

“Those who didn’t know me questioned whether I was worth the money. But it was up to me to show it. Mourinho gave me all the confidence. It was very physical at that time, and that was my focus.”

Essien helped Chelsea win the English Premier League title in 2006 and 2010, as well as three FA Cups and one League Cup as a key player.

The former Real Madrid and AC Milan star also won the UEFA Champions League in 2011/12 with Chelsea after finishing as runner-up in the 2007/08 UEFA Champions League.

He has won the Chelsea Goal of the Season award twice and is currently a member of the Danish Superliga club Nordsjælland’s coaching staff.