Michael Essien

[BlueLion. 21,491]

We could actually do with him back. Without Mikel and Oriol we have no midfield steel at all.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

We could actually do with him back. Without Mikel and Oriol we have no midfield steel at all.

Agree, if we had him in midfield yesterday we probably would not have lost. We can't go till mid Feb without a proper defensive midfielder.

[BlueLion. 21,491]

He has looked a lot more mobile since going to Madrid; playing regularly has done well for his stamina and fitness. Mourinho has been playing him at LB and RB more often than not, and that would offer further cover for Cole and Azpi if needed. Just don't see the sense in us paying his wages and him be playing regularly for the Spanish champions instead.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Just don't see the sense in us paying his wages and him be playing regularly for the Spanish champions instead.

Possible fallout with the board behind the scenes?

[The only place to be 11,313]

Just don't see the sense in us paying his wages and him be playing regularly for the Spanish champions instead.

Are we paying his wages? What percentage are Real Madrid paying?

[BlueLion. 21,491]

I'd assume we're paying his wages as a 'favour' to Mourinho. Nothing official on it, just going by what was 'reported' at the time.

[The only place to be 11,313]

I'd assume we're paying his wages as a 'favour' to Mourinho. Nothing official on it, just going by what was 'reported' at the time.

So we're doing Mourinho a favour?

From what I heard we were looking for ways to reduce the wage bill by loaning out players who weren't going to be part of the first team squad. Benayoun had about half of his wages paid by West Ham whilst the figure I heard for Essien was a little higher. It made sense at the time, considering Essien hadn't looked like his old self for about two years.

[Rubber bullets 1,183]

We could actually do with him back. Without Mikel and Oriol we have no midfield steel at all.

He hardly plays in midfield, most of his appearances (when he does get one) have come from defense whenever their fullbacks are injured. He still looks like his knees are made of jelly, he is much slower then 4 or 5 years ago and all of his performances I have seen have been at best average. Would be like trying to put flavour on a shit sundae with piss.

Some people still hold on to this deluded belief that Essien has even a little bit of the "steel" he used to have. Much rather buy a DM that actually has knee caps.

[Kieran. 6,317]

I'd assume we're paying his wages as a 'favour' to Mourinho. Nothing official on it, just going by what was 'reported' at the time.

The writers at We Ain't Got No History have said that RM pay his wages, but it was a while ago and I don't want to dig it up.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Much rather buy a DM that actually has knee caps.

The thing with buying a new DM is that we won't need him till the middle of Feb when Mikel returns and possibly till the end of the season for cover. But come next season, we will have a great DM who is approaching his peak and a good young DM who could become great. Would be pointless to have a third.

[nachikethas 1,154]

had a great impact last game.he still got it

[Bir_CFC 3,455]

Yeah, I thought he was Madrid's best or 2nd best player at worst (Varane got my MOTM cause of the goal) against Barca. I figure he himself doesn't want to play here otherwise I'd never understand the rationale behind his loan. I mean he's not good enough but surely he would have provided some much needed depth to our squad.

[Ankit 3,176]

Yeah, I thought he was Madrid's best or 2nd best player at worst (Varane got my MOTM cause of the goal) against Barca. I figure he himself doesn't want to play here otherwise I'd never understand the rationale behind his loan. I mean he's not good enough but surely he would have provided some much needed depth to our squad.

Mourinho called and he didn't think twice. Don't you remember his press conference where he called Jose 'Daddy'.

BTW there was this one shoulder charge by Essien on Messi last night. Boy, that was one 'Bison' charge.

[The Skipper 20,609]

had a great impact last game.he still got it

Even though he was playing RB, he did have a great game. Real's best chances came through Essien.

Still do think Varane deserved the MOTM though, he was brilliant, especially considering it was his first El Classico.

[Pacquiao 1,834]

Yeah, I thought he was Madrid's best or 2nd best player at worst (Varane got my MOTM cause of the goal) against Barca. I figure he himself doesn't want to play here otherwise I'd never understand the rationale behind his loan. I mean he's not good enough but surely he would have provided some much needed depth to our squad.

No Varane was MOTM because he had Messi in his back pocket all night!