Michael Essien (born December 3, 1982 in Ghana) is a Ghanaian International footballer. He currently plays for Chelsea in the English Premier League. He is a central midfielder and plays as a deep-lying playmaker for the Black Stars, the Ghana national football team.
Club career
Born in Accra to Ghanaian parents Aba Gyandoh and James Essien, Essien began his career in a local club in his native Ghana, called Liberty Professionals FC after graduating from St Augustine College. He broke through when he played in the 1999 FIFA U-17 World Championship in New Zealand.[1] This led to considerable attention from European scouts.
SC Bastia
In July 2000, French club SC Bastia signed Essien. At Bastia, he did not command a regular place in the team, playing at right back, left back and in central defence. Then because of an injury to one of his teammates, he was given a temporary opportunity to play in central midfield. Essien flourished in this new role. Soon he was compared to Frenchman Patrick Vieira because of his ability to go from box to box. In 2002/2003 season he helped Bastia qualify for the UEFA Cup. He scored six goals that season. He became physically stronger and a harder tackler. Soon Paris Saint-Germain, Olympique Lyonnais and Olympique de Marseille made offers for him. He was not only popular in France, but also in England. Both major Merseyside teams, Liverpool and Everton, made offers for him.take of wikipedia.org
