Michael Essien had trials at Manchester United aged 17-years-old. After growing up idolising Roy Keane, he was eager to sign for us, however the issue of a work permit denied him the move.
“My biggest hero was Roy Keane,” he confessed. “I just loved the way he used to play, his attitude and commitment. I still try to play like him now and maybe people compare us as I play a similar holding role in midfield as he used to. I had always dreamed of playing in Europe and, as a boy, my team were Manchester United. When they offered me a one-week trial I just couldn’t believe it, I was so happy. I remember being there and thinking ‘Wow, this is the biggest club in the world’.”
However, come 2005, when United were desperately seeking to find a player to fill Roy Keane’s boots, Essien was off to Chelsea, the current Champions, as quickly as his legs could carry him.
After enjoying another title win for Chelsea in his first season at the club, Essien had a problem dealing with United leading the table from the start of the following season. Come Christmas, he certainly had endured enough!
“We are much better than Manchester United,” he said in December 2006. “It is just a matter of days before we are the leaders. I have done the calculations and we will finish at least five points clear of United at the top of the table.”
Five months later, United beat City, Chelsea drew to Arsenal, and United were the Champions… 8 points clear.
So you might be pleased to hear that Essien, who has come second to United for two seasons in a row, as well as losing out to us in the European Cup final, has predictions for the coming season.
“We’ve got the best players in the world at Chelsea and by next May will be the only team in contention. Chelsea will win the title this year,” Essien said. “Players like Ballack, Lampard and Deco are world class. It is to our advantage that we have so many players who have achieved so much. As you can see in training or during the games, they can always change the games. They have a winning mentality so it’s going to be good for us. Hopefully this year we will win more trophies. Last year was unlucky for us, these things happen in football but you just have to forget about it.”
I suppose we have to wait a bit longer before Essien lets us know just how many points they’ll beat us by…afterall, we hardly have any players who have achieved so much in the game. And winning mentality? We can only dream of having such players in our squad. Damn, we’ve just been so lucky!
2nd anti-Chelscum post lol I love ‘em, keep ‘em comin lol
What else would Essien say after he collected bags full of money from the Chel$ki ?
Surprise – Michael Essien collects twenty million quid and then gives the RentBoyz the thumbs’ up !
He’s probably the only Chelsea player who I’d like to see at United, but looking back to his days as a Matmatician, it was very funny.
“I have done my calculations” haha
As much as I hate Chelski, Essien is one of 2 players that I respect that play for them the other being Petr Chec.The rest are a bunch of arrogant rent boys who are only there for the money.They must have the most hated squad of players in world football Drogba,Terry,Fat Frank,Cashley Cole….. the list is fuckin endless!!!!
C’mon they’re ALL mercenaries; live in the now !
In addition to Cech and Essien, I’m also impressed with Ricardo Carvalho.
Love the picture Scott. He’s a monster of a player but a mecenary cunt, just like Obi Mikel. Mind you, we’ve got our own monster of a player in Anderson, who’s gonna get even better in years to come. Obviously it gives me great pleasure seeing us win the big prizes, but a part of me also has a certain amount of joy in seeing the aforementioned players losing out. I think the best image of the European Cup Final win was seeing that fucking bastard Kenyon having to look on as we lifted the magnificent trophy. Why the fuck did that cunt go and pick up something at the end of the game? please explain. Scott, do you think you could do piece on him? I know he’s a waste of space but to make fun of his humiliation is priceless especially as he said that Chelsea will be a global force by 2014!
Why do United fans keep deriding Lampard with the FAT Frank tab?. When we have got the same thing with Rooney. Bit hypocritical, seeing Rooney is as big, if not bigger than Lampard. And NO I am not a Lampard fan. I just see the irony that’s all.
Craig, I think it effects Lampard as he is a vain, narcissistic aresehole, Rooney I think finds it funny, did you see the T shirts on his stag do!?