Michael Essien

Michael Essien (also referred to as Mickaël Essien) (born 3 December 1982) is a Ghanaian footballer who plays for Chelsea in the Premier League. He is an all-round midfielder who can play multiple midfield roles (defensively and offensively). He has often been touted as a box-to-box midfielder for his ability to exert boundless energy in supporting offensive and defensive play. At Chelsea, his versatility as a player has been put to effective use in various roles. He has often been deployed as a defensive midfielder, but has also played as a centre midfielder, a right-sided lateral defender or a right-sided midfielder, even as a Right Back, and a Center Back. For the Ghana national football team, Essien has played primarily in a central midfield role, with combined opportunities to go forward or support defensive play. He also has a good eye for goal and has on occasion scored important, sometimes breath-taking goals for both club and country. One of his trademark abilities is to hit a shot from distance. Between the summer of 2007 and the summer of 2009, Essien was the most expensive African footballer on account of his £26 million move from French club Olympique Lyonnais to Chelsea FC. Essien is often referred to as "the Bison" for his tough tackling style, boundless energy and physical presence on the pitch.