The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Michael Essien

  • Essien gets ‘Worst Statue of the year’ in Ghana

    Essien gets ‘Worst Statue of the year’ in Ghana

     

    With dust yet to settle in some quarters over what has been dubbed out of shape statue for great footballers like Cristiano Ronaldo and Diego Maradona, a sculptor has unveiled a statue of Michael Essien which has been described as the worst of them all

    A statue of the former Chelsea midfielder has been erected in his homeland Ghana and it is fair to say it is pretty appalling.

    Essien made 256 appearances at Stamford Bridge between 2005 and 2014, helping the Blues to win nine trophies, including two Premier League titles.

    Shown in Chelsea’s iconic blue home strip, Essien’s body looks severely out of proportion, while his face is far too jagged and lumps of his head appear to be missing.

    He is also kicking the ball with similar technique to a toddler, his knees are strikingly thin compared to the rest of his legs and his shoulders appear to be armed with NFL-style padding.

    Cristiano Ronaldo has also been on the receiving end of a poor statue after a disastrous sculpture was placed at the airport re-named after him.

    The bust, designed by sculptor Emanuel Santos, almost broke the internet – with many pointing out that it looked more like Niall Quinn than the great man himself.

    Perhaps the most bizarre football statue of all though was the one of Michael Jackson displayed outside of Fulham’s Craven Cottage.

    It was placed there by former owner Mohamed Al Fayed, who was close to the singer before he passed away, but now resides in the National Football Museum in Manchester.

    Essien started his football career with Ghana Premier League side Liberty Professionals before moving to Europe, where he played for Chelsea, Real Madrid and AC Milan winning lots of club individual awards

    He was part of the Black Stars squad that qualified Ghana to its first ever World Cup in 2006 and helped the team reach the finals of the 2010 AFCON. The midfield maestro currently plies his trade with Indonesian topflight side Persib Bandung

  • Essien, Cole risk deportation in Indonesia

    Essien, Cole risk deportation in Indonesia

     

    Michael Essien and Carlton Cole who recently joined Indonesian club Persib Bandung risk being deported after Immigration department raised some queries over their permission to stay and play in Indonesia.

    Club management appears to have taken the popularity and past exploits of the players for granted thus failing to follow the rules to the letter.

    The duo made their debuts in Persib Bandung’s season-opening goalless draw against Arema, but the club has admitted missing the deadline to officially register them in time to play legally.

    Manager Umuh Muchtar believes the former Premier League pair are being unfairly persecuted.

    “That they are here is a joy for us, they want to raise up Indonesia’s name in the world,” Muchtar wailed.

    “Everybody knows that Essien is a world-class player, not an illegal immigrant.”

    A spokesperson for the immigration authorities said: “They are professionals so they must hold a permit to perform activities in Indonesia.”

    Cole and Essien getting deported or sent to jail is up for debate, but it doesn’t make for a great start.

    Essien who made 58 appearances for Ghana scoring nine goals in the process, played in France, England and Italy among other places before heading to Indonesia. There are strong indications however that the club and immigration authorities may seek a middle point solution because of Football Federation of Indonesia (PSSI) desire to lift the standard of the league by engaging some foreign players who have made their mark in the game and whose presence is considered a plus to the league and the game in the country.

  • Michael Essien’s wife buys third-tier Italian club

    Michael Essien’s wife buys third-tier Italian club

     

     

    The wife of Michael Essien, Akosua Puni Essien has purchased Italian third-tier side Como.  Akosua Puni Essien paid £206,000 for the Lega Pro side at an auction.

    The deal is coming on the heels of her husband joining of Indonesian side Persib Bandung.

    The club was declared bankrupt last year, and the deal doesn’t include the training centre or the club’s branding. Sounds like she’s got a big task on her hands.

    A club statement read: “The new owner and her team wish to make both the first team and the youth team grow and become an integrated part of the city.

    “They will put their efforts into creating conditions to take the team back to Serie B and to develop the club’s young talents to the best of their ability.”

    Puni Essien describes herself as a “businesswoman, consultant, philanthropist” on her Twitter bio.

    She said: “I am honoured to be part of a club that has 110 years of history.”

    Como currently sit seventh in Lega Pro and could get a play-off spot.

  • Essien joins Indonesian side Persib Bandung

    Essien joins Indonesian side Persib Bandung

     

     

    Former Chelsea and Real Madrid midfielder Michael Essien has joined Indonesia’s Persib Bandung.

    The ex-Ghana international, 34, has been without a club for six months after leaving Panathinaikos of Greece in 2016 and has been training with Chelsea’s reserve team.

    Essien, who turned down a move to Australia’s Melbourne Victory last September, spent eight seasons at Chelsea, winning two English Premier League titles and one UEFA Champions League.

    Indonesian media reported on Tuesday that Essien has signed a one-year deal at the start of the new league season with an option to extend for one more.

    Indonesia has attracted few big names international players in the past. Mario Kempes and Roger Milla, stars of the 1978 and 1990 World Cups respectively, had short spells in the country at the very end of their lengthy careers.

    More recently, former England international Lee Hendrie spent around eight months in 2011 with the now-defunct Bandung FC.

  • Essien’s Panathinaikos switch thrills Ajagun

    Essien’s Panathinaikos switch thrills Ajagun

    Ex-Flying Eagles skipper, Abduljaleel Ajagun, has said he will learn from experienced Ghana star Michael Essien, who has joined top Greek club Panathinaikos.

    The 32-year-old former Chelsea midfielder joined Panathinaikos from AC Milan this summer on a two-year deal, africanFootball.com reports.

    And Ajagun is currently in pre-season training with his Greek side alongside the Ghana star.

    “I feel great to have a player like Michael Essien as my team mate. There are a lot of things to learn from his experience and he will bring more quality to the team,” Ajagun told africanFootball.com.

    Ajagun played 28 games last season for his team and scored four goals as Panathinaikos finished runners-up behind fierce city rivals Olympiacos.

    The team will feature in the qualifying tournament of the UEFA Champions League this season.