Happy Birthday To Former Chelsea Star Michael Essien

Happy birthday to Chelsea legend, Michael Essien, now at AC Milan and well past his best years but still worth remembering all those moments he was supreme in the Chelsea shirt. On arriving from Olympique Lyon in 2005 for *25m, Essien quickly became a pillar at the helm of Jose Mourinho’s record making 2005 Chelsea side playing around the likes of Frank Lampard and Claude Makelele and quickly became one of the best defensive box to box midfielders in the football.

Essien’s first goal came against Tottenham, and he did net a couple more in his next few seasons but his most popular strike in the league at least came in 2006 when he struck an absolute belter to equalize Arsenal at Stamford Bridge after going a goal down courtesy of Matheiu Flamini. The goal won the Chelsea Goal of the Season award and he was voted Chelsea’s Player of the Year by the fans for some outstanding performances during the 2006-2007 season.

The injuries came in 2008 whilst on international duty for Ghana after having signed a new contract with the club, but he came back to his best self that year, scoring vital goals in the league and Europe. His most famed European goal would be his left footed volley against Barcelona at Stamford Bridge. It was an absolute belter of a strike and was worthy to send Chelsea into the Champions League final for the second year running, but Andres Iniesta’s late strike left the Blues in agony as the Catalans progressed ahead on away goals, the goal however won the Chelsea Goal of the Year award.

Essien scored his first brace against Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2009, he won the Premier League twice with the club in 2005/2006 and 2009/10 with Jose Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti, he won the FA Cup four times in 2006/07, 2008/09, 2009/10 and 2011/12, the League Cup –Capital One- 2006/07 the FA Community Shield in 2009 and the UEFA Champions League that glorious night in Munich in 2012.

Essien went on loan in the 2012/13 season to join Jose Mourinho at Madrid whom he famously calls ‘daddy’ and re-joined Jose again at Chelsea before departing finally to AC Milan in January. He made 256 general appearances for the club and scored 25 goals, scoring goals was never his strong suit as a midfielder but he was as tough as they came in terms of breaking up attacks, tackling and was an exceptional physical presence on the pitch.

He would always be absolutely loved and cherished at this club as he was always a force to reckon with in Chelsea colours even when he wasn’t in his prime. Michael Essien, Chelsea legend.