Name: Michael Kojo Essien
Nickname: "The Bison"
Country:
GhanaClub: Chelsea FC
Position: *CMF, DMF, CB, SB
Side: RF/RS
Age: 23-28 years (3/12/1982)
Height: 178 cm
Weight: 84 kg
Attack: 76
Defence: 70
Balance: 87
Stamina: 95
Top Speed: 82
Acceleration: 80
Response: 85
Agility: 80
Dribble Accuracy: 78
Dribble Speed: 80
Short Pass Accuracy: 78
Short Pass Speed: 83
Long Pass Accuracy: 81
Long Pass Speed: 79
Shot Accuracy: 71
Shot Power: 88
Shot Technique: 74
Free Kick Accuracy: 70
Curling: 76
Header: 76
Jump: 90
Technique: 80
Aggression: 77
Mentality: 77
Goalkeeper Skills: 50
Team Work: 82
Injury Tolerance: C
Condition/Fitness: 7
Weak Foot Accuracy: 5
Weak Foot Frequency: 5
Consistency: 6
Growth Type: Standard
CARDS:
P08 - Box To Box
P11 - Long Ranger
S01 - Marauding
S06 - Outside Curve
SPECIAL ABILITIES: Reaction - Middle Shooting - Centre - Outside
Attack / Defence Awareness Card: Balanced
INFO:
Michael Essien was a Ghanaian midfielder, probably one of the best midfielders Africa has ever produced. He was a world class player at his best but injuries held him back from his mid-20s onwards. Essien was a player with huge physical presence, very strong and with enormous stamina that allowed him to cover the whole pitch. His powerful running with and without the ball and strong shot made him an effective player going forward. He was also a versatile player, he was usually a box to box midfielder but he could also play as a more defensive midfielder, at right back or even in the centre of defence. Apart from his injuries, his only weaknesses were that he was sometimes clumsy in tighter situations like close control and shorter passing moves. In more open games, he could totally dominate the midfield. Essien is a loved player by Chelsea fans for his iconic goals in important situations and his all-action playing style. With Ghana he was part of the team that made the Round of 16 at the 2006 World Cup although he was suspended for that game. Unfortunately he missed Ghana's greatest moment at the 2010 World Cup because of injury.