Michael Essien

[ChelseasMessiah 304]

I think he could do a better job than Lampard in the pivot, but Mikel now is better than both.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

played the full 90 mins, good for us really.

How did he do? I heard Egypt dominated them.

[Sir Mikel OBE 4,919]

How did he do? I heard Egypt dominated them.

Honestly speaking he was poor with the rest of them. It was understandable though. It was the swan song for Abou-trika, and the playoff was pretty much over.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Honestly speaking he was poor with the rest of them. It was understandable though. It was the swan song for Abou-trika, and the playoff was pretty much over.

What a player Abou Treika is, though

Might not have gotten global fame because he never played in Europe, but he was one of the best players of his generation, certainly in Africa.

[ChelseasMessiah 304]

What a player Abou Treika is, though

Might not have gotten global fame because he never played in Europe, but he was one of the best players of his generation, certainly in Africa.

I saw him live in the Olympics last year, always been a fan, stylistically I'd say he's Zidanesque although he plays as a SS/ACM.

[Sir Mikel OBE 4,919]

What a player Abou Treika is, though

Might not have gotten global fame because he never played in Europe, but he was one of the best players of his generation, certainly in Africa.

In his prime he was certainly the best African player for country his generation. The biggest shame was that he never got his world cup appearance.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

In his prime he was certainly the best African player for country his generation. The biggest shame was that he never got his world cup appearance.

Yeah, Egypt's luck with the WC was similar to ours with the CL. But 4 AFCON titles are not bad at all, not to mention all his continental success with Al Ahly.

Anyway, back to Michael, will be great seeing him in the WC

[AndersonBLUE 819]

How did he do? I heard Egypt dominated them.

He had an average game, not his best. Good or bad game though is irrelevant though.. playing the full 90 helped with his fitness hopefully.

[Phil Driver 503]

Hope he plays today a midfield containing Essien,Lampard and Rammy will be a good blend that will work as a unit and take the game to Southampton .

4-3-3 will work for us .

[lucio 5,418]

Hope he plays today a midfield containing Essien,Lampard and Rammy will be a good blend that will work as a unit and take the game to Southampton .

4-3-3 will work for us .

no fucking lampard

[Phil Driver 503]

What a player Abou Treika is, though

Might not have gotten global fame because he never played in Europe, but he was one of the best players of his generation, certainly in Africa.

Who? Big fish in small pond comes to mind.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Who? Big fish in small pond comes to mind.

I know you that you think football only exists in England, Phill. You don't have to remind me.

[Phil Driver 503]

Any decent African player will be on the first boat to Europe ,we all know that .The standard is mickey mouse with some good players who play in Europe and some pub players .

[lucio 5,418]

Any decent African player will be on the first boat to Europe ,we all know that .The standard is mickey mouse with some good players who play in Europe and some pub players .

better standard than english players

[Phil Driver 503]

Starts today.

[lucio 5,418]

Starts today.

and is dogshit today

[ChelseasMessiah 304]

You could see he was mentally troubled after that blunder. Sadly, I think we need to let him go.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Excellent ball over the defenses head. If only it was at the other end, though...

In all seriousness, it was a HUGE risk by Jose to just throw him in a game like this when he hadn't even been getting minutes off the bench. He paid the price for that mistake.