Michael Essien

[Kojo 4,676]

Essien's still a bit rusty but he's been pretty good.

[Sheva. 5,373]

Toure has gone past him easily twice.

[Las7 951]

He was decent out there but obviously not at the form which we remember from him pre-injury. Provided he stays fit he could actually play quite a few games at Real - they lack the type of things Essien provides.

Essien gets taken off, Real concede a goal - coincidence ?

[Sir Mikel OBE 4,920]

has done nothing special ..simple passes something Mikel gets slated for ... Im glad to see him playing BUT it isnt the Essien of old

Dont need special.

His simple passes in the midfield with a Mikel would be much more suited for our double pivot than a lampard-Mikel partnership.

[Bosnian Blue 2,471]

Fuck I remember the days when Essien did what Toure does now and so much more..

[DYC. 7,542]

Fuck I remember the days when Essien did what Toure does now and so much more..

I hate to admit it but Toure is much better. What a player. Well on the ball that is. Ess was far better off the ball.

[Kojo 4,676]

I hate to admit it but Toure is much better. What a player. Well on the ball that is. Ess was far better off the ball.

Toure is better going forward, one thing Toure is overrated for is defensively, he doesn't run games as much as some people assume he does. Like how Pirlo was just running the show for Italy in Euro's.

Toure has great vision, very underrated in fact, great passing, and can dribble and knows how to score goals and shoot.

[HRiver 1,512]

Yes, Toure is undoubtedly better than the old Essien. He's just... on another level.

[DYC. 7,542]

Toure is better going forward, one thing Toure is overrated for is defensively, he doesn't run games as much as some people assume he does. Like how Pirlo was just running the show for Italy in Euro's.

Toure has great vision, very underrated in fact, great passing, and can dribble and knows how to score goals and shoot.

Yes a lot of football fans vastly overrate his defensive play. It's very average and he can be extremely lazy, leaving his partner, mostly Barry, completely exposed and isolated.

His off the ball movement in possession isn't the best either. Ess was far better in all those areas. But when Yaya's in possession of the ball, that's when the magic happens. The best thing about him though is the fact that he's a game changer, so often has he saved City.

Though Ess had that too, really miss prime Bison.

[BlueLyon 9,359]

Speaking of DMs, Essien in his best times was much better than Toure. Defensive abilities are what DMs must have, here Ess is simply better than Toure. His long shots were also beautiful to watch.

But he lacks stamina and power nowdays. At this age, I doubt he will recover, he would have to train realy lot and it could be possible boost now that he is at Real...

[Kojo 4,676]

Speaking of DMs, Essien in his best times was much better than Toure. Defensive abilities are what DMs must have, here Ess is simply better than Toure. His long shots were also beautiful to watch.

But he lacks stamina and power nowdays. At this age, I doubt he will recover, he would have to train realy lot and it could be possible boost now that he is at Real...

Losing stamina and pace is a huge difference, your pace is your confidence.

[Tomo 21,751]

Yes a lot of football fans vastly overrate his defensive play. It's very average and he can be extremely lazy, leaving his partner, mostly Barry, completely exposed and isolated.

I remember Meireles's equalizer against City at The Bridge, Yaya was suppose to be tracking him and let Meireles walk in the box unchallenged.

[Rambo 1,729]

This guy would always have the best midfielders in his back pocket. It's a damn shame he had to endure all those injuries.

[Kieran. 6,317]

Old Bison >>> Yaya Toure

[KonohasOrangeFlash 2,607]

As a DM, who runs the midfield defensively and better strength wise: Old Essien

As a player bursting forward with better technical skills and vision: Yaya Toure

/thread.