Michael Essien

[Blue Armour 4,165]

I thought he looked really good when he came on yesterday. Thoughts?

I noticed how quickly he got back into "the groove"...A lot of his passing was forward, rather than the sort of sideways passing that you can expect from a player trying to get back on his feet..Went for the ball, and also had a chance on goal...

However it was only for the last few minutes of one game, and is still yet to exhibit the sort of pressing and drive we've come to expect from him...So I'd wait for another couple of games before judging him completely.

[Tomo 21,681]

He was good yesterday, had a chance to score an all.

On a side note you should have seen the reaction of the people around me in the MH lower when i told them Malouda was coming on

[Sheva. 5,373]

I thought he did well also. Positive signs.

[TacticalBlues 2,817]

[Melanicus 5,208]

He's always smiling, what a person!

[LDN Blue 7,903]

Like Alex said in the match thread, he might have lost his engine but he's still a very intelligent player. I love him. His happiness is a delight!

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Seeing him smiling when he came onto the pitch almost made up for 90 minutes of football that doesn't even quantify as being mediocre.

[Amblève. 4,995]

I’M BACK! - Michael Essien on the last couple of months

Hello everyone,

It’s official – I am back and happy to be back doing what I do best. It’s been a journey and a half and I want to dedicate this blog to

everyone who said a prayer or two for me.

Way back in July when I broke down in pre-season training my mind went back to the pain I suffered during my previous rehabilitations.

I had had a brilliant restful summer and was looking forward to the season. I did some pre-season work at home a week before training started and was feeling good about myself. So to break down immediately on my return was a major setback for me and a real disappointment.

This was my third big injury and you can imagine how I felt knowing that I had to go through the six-month process all over again. It was heart-breaking but I had to be strong and believe in my powers of recovery.

The rehab process is slow, long-winded and painfully lonely.

The medical team at Chelsea are superb and very supportive but as a player all you want to do is train with your friends and travel as a group. However, when you are injured, your programme is different and you spend hours in the gym, on the physio’s table or in the pool while your mates have

fun on the training pitch. Occasionally another player gets injured and you get a bit of company but you really miss the rest of the team.

Being a regular in the medical department, I settled in quite easily and started my comeback after the operation, however I couldn’t have done it without the support of my family, friends, everyone at Chelsea and YOU the supporters.

The well wishes and messages you sent me kept me going and I cannot thank you enough. I got words of encouragement, poems, pictures, suggestions on how to get better and generally people urging me to stay strong.

You are the best and I hope to give back to you on the pitch as you have given to me off it.

To the medical team at Chelsea, I want to say a big “thank you” for your hard work as usual, and hopefully you won’t see me again (as a patient) if you know what I mean!

To everyone, it’s “thank you” for being there for Michael Essien and I am glad to repeat: ‘It’s official – Michael Essien is back!’

Now I am looking forward to helping the team win a trophy or two this season.

Lastly, good luck to the Black Stars at the African Cup of Nations – they are still my bet to win the trophy.

Ess

http://blogs.chelseafc.com/?p=1486

[manpe 10,855]

he's one of the few players who seem genuinely happy to be playing, always a smile on his face

[Amblève. 4,995]

he's one of the few players who seem genuinely happy to be playing, always a smile on his face

That should be every player's attitude, to be happy to be able to do what he loves and earn money through it.

[Ollie 4,400]

MUST START TOMORROW

[Blue Armour 4,165]

Now I am looking forward to helping the team win a trophy or two this season

I'll take that seriously only because Michael said it.

[Joker10 946]

Thought his performance was very encouraging.

[manpe 10,855]

He played 90 minutes.. superhuman effort if you ask me

[Blue Armour 4,165]

Very encouraging performance,...could go a long way in helping us in the Champions League campaign

[Kieran. 6,317]

Essien fucking rules. Love the guy.

[Ollie 4,400]

Shoulda been taken off after 70 mins tho or just after they got the first goal. He was in no position to be running up and down for 90 minutes, he was shattered. Should do him the power of good tho for future games. If he was fully fit, they wouldn't of got so much space in those last 20 mins. So glad he's back tho.

[BlueLion. 21,491]

First time I've seen Michael Essin looked tired. Fair play to him for running his heart out. Take note, Sturridge, Malouda and Torres.