One of the things that makes football so universally loved is its flexibility. It is a sport that is constantly changing. Tactics, rules and cultures are always in a period of evolution; they often become something we never even considered. Player roles go in and out of vogue, too, as changing tactical norms require a different skillset from certain players. Most recently, of course, has been the ball-playing central defender, which causes endless debates across the sport, but is one of the newer favoured roles employed at the heart of the defence these days.

On the other hand, there are roles that have diminished in relevance over the past few years, and one in particular that is now conspicuous by its absence – the powerhouse midfielder.

[ffc_insert title="The ten best signings of the season" name="Money well spent" image="https://www.footballfancast.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/4848590.jpg?admin" link="https://www.footballfancast.com/premier-league/football-fancasts-ten-signings-of-the-season" link_text="Ten of the best" ]

This week we celebrate the birthday of one of the best of a generation, Michael Essien. Chelsea’s injury-riddled Ghanaian superstar unfortunately saw his peak years curtailed by a period of long lay-offs, but he was one of the top players in the world for a brief period. As Chelsea continued to appear in the latter Champions League stages, Essien was the engine that made their side tick, with his hard tackling, good ball retention and the occasional thunderous strike. Perhaps the most famous of his Blues goals was this hooping outside-of-the-boot belter against Arsenal, one that is destined to appear on Premier League highlights reels until the end of time.

Iconic in the eyes of many around Stamford Bridge, players in the mould of Essien are few and far between at the elite level of European football now. Able to do a job in pretty much any position on the field, Essien was regularly used as a right-back at Chelsea, too. Aside from the injuries, the Ghanaian was the perfect squad member. His versatility made him so very useful, and the discipline he developed after a season or two in the Chelsea first team made him a reliable, trusted member of the team. Defensively, he was like an ox. Then, once others tired past the 60 minute mark, he was a tyrant with line-breaking runs, carrying the ball with the energy of a man who could play for 200 minutes if required.

Essien was a joy. A footballing force of nature, if you will. It was a loss to the sport that his peak years were shortened by his uncertain knees, its hard to think of another player of the same ilk in the modern game. The Spain-inspired possession cravings have seen technical midfielders take the spotlight, but we could be due a rejuvenation of powerhouse midfielders. Imagine Essien playing in this Chelsea side, or as part of Jurgen Klopp’s gegenpressing Liverpool team, it all makes a fair bit of sense.

Unfortunately, though, the term ‘powerhouse’ seems to imply technical deficiency. For all his stamina, brute strength and competitive edge, Essien was a gifted footballer. He was an exceptionally well-rounded deep midfielder, capable of covering every inch of the pitch. His passing range was, perhaps, not as sufficient for how many sides wish to play now, but he would still be one of the world’s hottest properties.

Playmakers are preferred to ball-winners in the middle third of the field, yet a player of Essien’s brilliance would surely still find a place in even the strongest of teams. Michael Essien alongside N’Golo Kante – now that would be a midfield to fear.

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