Ex-Ghana midfielder Michael Essien believes that people used to doubt if clubs would spend a lot of money on African players. That thinking vanished after he and Didier Drogba performed admirably in the Premier League. Essien joined Chelsea from Olympique Lyon in 2005, a year after Drogba joined the same club from Ligue 1. Drogba had a fantastic debut season with coach Jose Mourinho, scoring 10 goals and providing five assists in 26 games.
Michael Essien on his impact on African players
In a new TV show on Sky Sports called ‘How Africa changed the Premier League,’ ex-Chelsea player Michael Essien talked about his time in the Premier League. He’s from Ghana and shared his exciting journey of making his dream come true by playing in one of the toughest football leagues globally. His move to Chelsea from Olympique Lyon in 2005 was a big moment in his career. It marked the beginning of a path where he climbed up the ranks and made a name for himself in the history of the Premier League.
Essien joining Chelsea showed how strong-willed and devoted he was to football. The midfielder from Ghana, known for his tough defense, didn’t avoid the physical challenges of the Premier League. Instead, he faced them head-on, quickly adapting and using the league’s physical style to his advantage. Chelsea paid a big amount, £24.4 million, to have him for eight successful seasons. During this time, Essien played a key role in helping the team win many awards, including two Premier League titles, two FA Cups, and the prestigious UEFA Champions League. Instead of getting overwhelmed, Essien consistently stepped up, guiding his team to victory and earning a reputation as a strong defensive midfielder.
“It is always a big question if there is a big transfer over an African player. Didier [Drogba] was there, he showed it a year before I came [to Chelsea] and I followed it up,” Essien said.
“I think he gave some trust to the rest of the clubs that they can spend the money and trust the process,” he added.
Besides his own achievements, Essien was happy to represent Ghana in the Premier League. How well he played wasn’t just about his abilities; it also showed his connection to his home country. Being a proud Ghanaian in the Premier League, he lived his dream and paved the way for other African talents in the league.
