Slowly becoming Chelsea’s MVP

The squad at Stamford Bridge is full of stars and foreign flair, with some of the world’s biggest names plying their trade in West London. Ask a Chelsea fan who their favourite player is and it is likely they will highlight one of the English contingent – John Terry, Frank Lampard or Joe Cole. However they are also very likely to say Michael Essien.

Chelsea fans will tell you just how important Michael Essien is to the squad at Stamford Bridge. There is a wide case for suggesting his name should be the first on the Chelsea team sheet as the man plays such an instrumental role in everything Chelsea do. It is safe to say that other than their own fans, Chelsea are not the most admired club in the Premier League. Many football fans are disapproving of the Blues’ millions and dislike much of the squad, yet you will struggle find a fan who isn’t a keen admirer of Essien’s abilities.

Over the weekend, with his performance against Premier League strugglers Wolves, Essien further staked his claim of being the clubs MVP. A supposedly under strength Chelsea side dismantled a poor Wolves team at Stamford Bridge, with the game all but over after the first 15 minutes. In the absence of Frank Lampard, Michael Ballack and Deco, Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti shifted around his midfield. The Italian deployed Nigerian John Obi Mikel in the holding role of the diamond, handing Essien a more attacking task – allowing the midfielder to exhibit his creativity and attacking threat. It was a move that worked wonders for Chelsea as Essien took the game by the scruff of the neck and Chelsea ran riot. Ghana’s star man found himself on the score sheet twice after just 22 minutes with a low drive from the edge of the 18 yard box following a header from a Florent Malouda corner. Chelsea fans will have watched the performance of Essien and will be resting a lot easier after the injury to Frank Lampard. Essien showcased his power, pace and technique in an energetic display, showing why Chelsea paid so much money for him back in 2005. In fact Essien was desperately unlucky not to complete his hat-trick, having one shot tipped onto the bar by the Wolves keeper Wayne Hennessey and another just clipping the post. You could say it was a successful afternoon for the midfielder.

Many Chelsea fans will admit that bar the F.A Cup triumph, last season was one to forget. A third place finish in the league and a heartbreaking Champions League exit left Chelsea disappointed and clearly willing to improve this season. Chelsea did however end the campaign in stunning form. Temporary manager Guus Hiddink revitalised a desolate Chelsea squad, inspiring them to only one defeat under his guidance and several very impressive results. I take nothing at all away from the Dutchman, whose part in the Chelsea revival was exceptionally key, however I would like to point out another event that coincided with the rebirth of the squad; the return of Michael Essien.

Essien sustained anterior cruciate ligament damage in the early stages of last season and it was believed he would miss the whole campaign. However the midfielder returned in March and played a vital part in Chelsea’s success in the closing stages of the season. He scored crucial Champions League goals, with a close range strike against Juventus and a stunning left foot volley against Barcelona, a goal that would later be voted as the goal of the season, earning Essien the honour for the second time. It was however not just wonder goals that Essien gave the team. I recall a Champions League tie away at Liverpool, in which Essien was given the responsibility of marking Steven Gerard. The phrase ‘he had him in his pocket’ has never seemed so apt.  Essien’s endless stamina and role as a box-to-box midfielder helped rejuvenate Chelsea. He is a player who is born for the pace and strength of the Premier League and I most certainly would not like to line up in a midfield against him, a feeling of which I’m sure is echoed throughout the Premiership.

Every Chelsea fan will tell you that Michael Essien has a huge role to play if Chelsea are going to achieve any success this season. In a midfield diamond that is often rotated by manager Ancelotti, Essien is likely to always have a part to play. He has proved that he plays a pivotal role as a holding midfielder, stifling opposition and initiating Chelsea attacks, yet he can also move further up the pitch and holds an attacking and goal scoring threat. Essien boasts all the attributes of a world class midfielder.