Michael Essien Biography | Michael Essien News

Michael was born December 3, 1982 in Accra, Ghana and currently plays for Chelsea F.C. in England. He is an all-action central midfielder and plays as a deep-lying playmaker for Ghana. After playing for his native club in Ghana he got a chance to play in the Under-17 World Cup in 1999 in New Zealand which led to considerable attention from European sports clubs.

In July 1999, Bastia, a club from Corsica in France, signed Essien. At Bastia, he was not a regular, playing at right back, left back and central defender. Then because of an injury to one of his teammates, he was given a temporary opportunity to play in central midfield which he had shown best of the play in the field and was chosen to be best suited which was welcomed by everyone. Two years later in, 2001, even though he was one of the youngest players in the tournament, he took part in the World Youth Championship in Argentina, and performed exceptionally well. He made his Ghana senior debut in the 2002 African Nations Cup.

Michael was born December 3, 1982 in Accra, Ghana and currently plays for Chelsea F.C. in England. He is an all-action central midfielder and plays as a deep-lying playmaker for Ghana. After playing for his native club in Ghana he got a chance to play in the Under-17 World Cup in 1999 in New Zealand which led to considerable attention from European sports clubs.

In July 1999, Bastia, a club from Corsica in France, signed Essien. At Bastia, he was not a regular, playing at right back, left back and central defender. Then because of an injury to one of his teammates, he was given a temporary opportunity to play in central midfield which he had shown best of the play in the field and was chosen to be best suited which was welcomed by everyone. Two years later in, 2001, even though he was one of the youngest players in the tournament, he took part in the World Youth Championship in Argentina, and performed exceptionally well. He made his Ghana senior debut in the 2002 African Nations Cup.

Soon he was compared to Frenchman Patrick Vieira and then after in 2002/2003 season he brought Bastia into the UEFA Cup where he scored 6 goals that season. He became physically stronger and a harder tackler. Soon Paris Saint-Germain, Lyon and Marseille made offers for him but it was known that he was  not only popular in France, but also in England. Both major Merseyside teams, Liverpool and Everton, made offers for him.

PSG made an exciting offer and Bastia accepted it, but Essien rejected it, and moved to Lyon. At Lyon, Essien played more defensive midfield, featuring regularly in the Lyon team that won the third and fourth consecutive Ligue 1 titles.

Soon he was compared to Frenchman Patrick Vieira and then after in 2002/2003 season he brought Bastia into the UEFA Cup where he scored 6 goals that season. He became physically stronger and a harder tackler. Soon Paris Saint-Germain, Lyon and Marseille made offers for him but it was known that he was  not only popular in France, but also in England. Both major Merseyside teams, Liverpool and Everton, made offers for him.

PSG made an exciting offer and Bastia accepted it, but Essien rejected it, and moved to Lyon. At Lyon, Essien played more defensive midfield, featuring regularly in the Lyon team that won the third and fourth consecutive Ligue 1 titles.

In August 2005, Essien declared that he would "go on strike" against Lyon because of the club's refusal to transfer him to English Premiership champions Chelsea. It was announced on 14 August that Lyon and Chelsea had agreed a £26m fee for the Ghanaian, finally ending one of the longest running transfer sagas in recent English football history. Essien is now Chelsea's second most expensive signing after the club signed Ukraine forward and captain Andriy Shevchenko from A.C. Milan on 22 May 2006.

The transfer went through on 19 August, purportedly for a slightly reduced fee of £24.4m, nevertheless breaking Chelsea's previous record transfer fee, which they achieved the previous season by paying £24m for Olympique Marseille's Didier Drogba. He made his debut against Arsenal on August 21, wearing the number 5 on his shirt. He has already seemingly cemented his place in José Mourinho's side, starting the majority of the league games since his debut. He got an assist in his full debut against West Bromwich Albion, and he replaced the injured Claude Makélélé in the defensive midfield role against Sunderland in the 2-0 win on September 10, 2005. The midfield of Chelsea looks to have been strengthened by the powerful, athletic Essien, who could well form the Chelsea midfield with Frank Lampard for the next five or more years.

In August 2005, Essien declared that he would "go on strike" against Lyon because of the club's refusal to transfer him to English Premiership champions Chelsea. It was announced on 14 August that Lyon and Chelsea had agreed a £26m fee for the Ghanaian, finally ending one of the longest running transfer sagas in recent English football history. Essien is now Chelsea's second most expensive signing after the club signed Ukraine forward and captain Andriy Shevchenko from A.C. Milan on 22 May 2006.

The transfer went through on 19 August, purportedly for a slightly reduced fee of £24.4m, nevertheless breaking Chelsea's previous record transfer fee, which they achieved the previous season by paying £24m for Olympique Marseille's Didier Drogba. He made his debut against Arsenal on August 21, wearing the number 5 on his shirt. He has already seemingly cemented his place in José Mourinho's side, starting the majority of the league games since his debut. He got an assist in his full debut against West Bromwich Albion, and he replaced the injured Claude Makélélé in the defensive midfield role against Sunderland in the 2-0 win on September 10, 2005. The midfield of Chelsea looks to have been strengthened by the powerful, athletic Essien, who could well form the Chelsea midfield with Frank Lampard for the next five or more years.

On 15 December, he had a 2-match ban by UEFA for a controversial tackle on Dietmar Hamann, which resulted in his suspension from Chelsea's UEFA Champions League second round tie with eventual European champions F.C. Barcelona, which Chelsea lost 3-2 on aggregate. Essien has apologised to Hamann for the challenge (which Hamann has accepted), and insists that while he desires to be perceived as a player who 'unsettles' opponents, he is not a malicious or unsporting player. In January 2006, Essien was himself stretcher out off the field, the victim of a poor (and unpunished) challenge from West Ham United captain Nigel Reo-Coker, which sidelined him for three weeks.

Essien scored his first goal for Chelsea in March 2006, in a 2-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur. His second goal came on 17 April 2006 against Everton. Essien ended his debut season in England with 2 goals for Chelsea, both in the Premier League. However, the arrival of midfielders Michael Ballack from Bayern Munich and John Obi Mikel from F.C. Lyn Oslo in May 2006 means that Essien will face fierce competition to be selected for Chelsea.

On 15 December, he had a 2-match ban by UEFA for a controversial tackle on Dietmar Hamann, which resulted in his suspension from Chelsea's UEFA Champions League second round tie with eventual European champions F.C. Barcelona, which Chelsea lost 3-2 on aggregate. Essien has apologised to Hamann for the challenge (which Hamann has accepted), and insists that while he desires to be perceived as a player who 'unsettles' opponents, he is not a malicious or unsporting player. In January 2006, Essien was himself stretcher out off the field, the victim of a poor (and unpunished) challenge from West Ham United captain Nigel Reo-Coker, which sidelined him for three weeks.

Essien scored his first goal for Chelsea in March 2006, in a 2-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur. His second goal came on 17 April 2006 against Everton. Essien ended his debut season in England with 2 goals for Chelsea, both in the Premier League. However, the arrival of midfielders Michael Ballack from Bayern Munich and John Obi Mikel from F.C. Lyn Oslo in May 2006 means that Essien will face fierce competition to be selected for Chelsea.

His form for Chelsea so far this season, however, has been startling and indicates that not only is he willing to fight for his place but also that he is more than capable of doing so and, perhaps, edging out players previously part of Chelsea's core - such as Claude Makélélé and Frank Lampard. Pundits such as Giles Smith have suggested dropping Lampard, who has been enduring a lean spell in recent months, with Essien filling the void.

On 16 May 2006, Essien was named in the Ghana team that represented Ghana at the 2006 World Cup in Germany. He formed a potent Ghanaian midfield with team captain Stephen Appiah of Fenerbahce and Sulley Ali Muntari of Udinese. Essien played in Ghana's 0-2 defeat to Italy, 2-0 victory over the Czech Republic, and 2-1 victory over the United States, and helped Ghana become the only African team in the second round of the 2006 World Cup. He was suspended for Ghana's second round match against Brazil, which Ghana lost 0-3.

His form for Chelsea so far this season, however, has been startling and indicates that not only is he willing to fight for his place but also that he is more than capable of doing so and, perhaps, edging out players previously part of Chelsea's core - such as Claude Makélélé and Frank Lampard. Pundits such as Giles Smith have suggested dropping Lampard, who has been enduring a lean spell in recent months, with Essien filling the void.

On 16 May 2006, Essien was named in the Ghana team that represented Ghana at the 2006 World Cup in Germany. He formed a potent Ghanaian midfield with team captain Stephen Appiah of Fenerbahce and Sulley Ali Muntari of Udinese. Essien played in Ghana's 0-2 defeat to Italy, 2-0 victory over the Czech Republic, and 2-1 victory over the United States, and helped Ghana become the only African team in the second round of the 2006 World Cup. He was suspended for Ghana's second round match against Brazil, which Ghana lost 0-3.

Upon the team's return to Ghana, Essien said that the team had gained invaluable experience and will be aiming to make the next finals, which will be held in Africa for the first time in the tournament's history at South Africa 2010.

On September 12, 2006, Essien scored his first UEFA Champions League goal for Chelsea in a 2-0 victory over Werder Bremen of Germany. To date he has a total of 3 goals in competitive games for Chelsea.

A FIFA World Class Midfielder, Essien was on October 12, 2006, nominated for the 2006 FIFA World Player of the Year Award. He was also nominated for the 2005 FIFA World Player of the Year Award but he placed 22nd in 2005.

Upon the team's return to Ghana, Essien said that the team had gained invaluable experience and will be aiming to make the next finals, which will be held in Africa for the first time in the tournament's history at South Africa 2010.

On September 12, 2006, Essien scored his first UEFA Champions League goal for Chelsea in a 2-0 victory over Werder Bremen of Germany. To date he has a total of 3 goals in competitive games for Chelsea.

A FIFA World Class Midfielder, Essien was on October 12, 2006, nominated for the 2006 FIFA World Player of the Year Award. He was also nominated for the 2005 FIFA World Player of the Year Award but he placed 22nd in 2005.

Team                                           Joined                    Left                       

Bastia                                          01.07.2000             01.07.2003            

Olympique Lyonnais                      01.07.2003             19.08.2005            

Chelsea                                        19.08.2005                                         

Team                                           Joined                    Left                       

Bastia                                          01.07.2000             01.07.2003            

Olympique Lyonnais                      01.07.2003             19.08.2005            

Chelsea                                        19.08.2005                                         

Competition                                              Season                   Full apps         Subs      Goals

French Championnat
Bastia                                                       2000 - 2001            4                    9           1

French Championnat
Bastia                                                       2001 - 2002            23                  1           4

French Championnat
Bastia                                                       2002 - 2003            29                              6

UEFA Champions League
Olympique Lyonnais                                   2003 - 2004            7                    1          

French Championnat
Olympique Lyonnais                                   2003 - 2004            25                  9           3

UEFA Champions League
Olympique Lyonnais                                   2004 - 2005            2                               

French Championnat
Olympique Lyonnais                                   2004 - 2005            36                  1           4

UEFA Champions League
Chelsea                                                     2005 - 2006            6                               

Premiership
Chelsea                                                     2005 - 2006            27                  4           2

FA Cup
Chelsea                                                     2005 - 2006            3                    1          

International
Ghana                                                       2005 - 2006            4                                1

Carling Cup
Chelsea                                                     2005 - 2006            1                               

FIFA World Cup
Ghana                                                       2005 - 2006            5                                1

Premiership
Chelsea                                                     2006 - 2007            33                              2

FA Community Shield
Chelsea                                                     2006 - 2007            1                               

International
Ghana                                                       2006 - 2007            5                                1

UEFA Champions League
Chelsea                                                     2006 - 2007            10                              2

FA Cup
Chelsea                                                     2006 - 2007            4                    1           1

Carling Cup
Chelsea                                                     2006 - 2007            6                                1

Premiership
Chelsea                                                     2007 - 2008            10                  1           2

International
Ghana                                                       2007 - 2008            4                               

FA Community Shield
Chelsea                                                     2007 - 2008            1                               

Carling Cup
Chelsea                                                     2007 - 2008            2                    1          

UEFA Champions League
Chelsea                                                     2007 - 2008            6                               

Competition                                              Season                   Full apps         Subs      Goals

French Championnat
Bastia                                                       2000 - 2001            4                    9           1

French Championnat
Bastia                                                       2001 - 2002            23                  1           4

French Championnat
Bastia                                                       2002 - 2003            29                              6

UEFA Champions League
Olympique Lyonnais                                   2003 - 2004            7                    1          

French Championnat
Olympique Lyonnais                                   2003 - 2004            25                  9           3

UEFA Champions League
Olympique Lyonnais                                   2004 - 2005            2                               

French Championnat
Olympique Lyonnais                                   2004 - 2005            36                  1           4

UEFA Champions League
Chelsea                                                     2005 - 2006            6                               

Premiership
Chelsea                                                     2005 - 2006            27                  4           2

FA Cup
Chelsea                                                     2005 - 2006            3                    1          

International
Ghana                                                       2005 - 2006            4                                1

Carling Cup
Chelsea                                                     2005 - 2006            1                               

FIFA World Cup
Ghana                                                       2005 - 2006            5                                1

Premiership
Chelsea                                                     2006 - 2007            33                              2

FA Community Shield
Chelsea                                                     2006 - 2007            1                               

International
Ghana                                                       2006 - 2007            5                                1

UEFA Champions League
Chelsea                                                     2006 - 2007            10                              2

FA Cup
Chelsea                                                     2006 - 2007            4                    1           1

Carling Cup
Chelsea                                                     2006 - 2007            6                                1

Premiership
Chelsea                                                     2007 - 2008            10                  1           2

International
Ghana                                                       2007 - 2008            4                               

FA Community Shield
Chelsea                                                     2007 - 2008            1                               

Carling Cup
Chelsea                                                     2007 - 2008            2                    1          

UEFA Champions League
Chelsea                                                     2007 - 2008            6                               

2000–2003: Sporting Club de Bastia - 62 (11)
2003–2005: Olympique Lyonnais - 71 (7)
2005–present: Chelsea - 58 (6)

2000–2003: Sporting Club de Bastia - 62 (11)
2003–2005: Olympique Lyonnais - 71 (7)
2005–present: Chelsea - 58 (6)

Club
French Cup with SC Bastia Runner-up: 2002
French Ligue 1 with Olympique Lyon Winner: 2003/04, 2004/05
FA Premier League with Chelsea F.C Winner: 2006

National team
1999 FIFA U-17 World Championship 3rd Place: 1999
FIFA World Youth Championship Runner-up: 2001

Club
French Cup with SC Bastia Runner-up: 2002
French Ligue 1 with Olympique Lyon Winner: 2003/04, 2004/05
FA Premier League with Chelsea F.C Winner: 2006

National team
1999 FIFA U-17 World Championship 3rd Place: 1999
FIFA World Youth Championship Runner-up: 2001