Audio By Carbonatix
Ex-Ghana international Michael Essien has revealed that football is "changing" with much more focus on tactics compared to his playing days.
Essien, who retired in 2020 after a 22-year career, described the sport as "quite physical" during his time, with less emphasis on instructions.
The 41-year-old played for clubs including Chelsea, Real Madrid, AC Milan, and Lyon.
"Football is changing and now the No.10 position is disappearing so it's two No.8s and a No.6 [in midfield] and those two No.8s can become the No.10s so it depends how you want to play," He said in exclusive interview with JoySports.
"Sometimes you move your full-backs high and wingers in, to create some overload to have some players in the pocket."
"Our time is different. It was quite physical and fans like players going on tackles."
The former Chelsea star won two Premier League titles and the 2012 Champions League with the Blues.
Essien made 59 appearances for Ghana's Black Stars, scoring nine goals.
He is currently part of the coaching staff at Danish Superliga club Nordsjælland.
Latest Stories
-
‘Prayer and faith sustained me’ — Nana Agradaa reflects after leaving prison
15 seconds -
Low voter turnout at Ayawaso East by-election unsurprising — NPP’s Boakye Agyarko
1 minute -
Paediatric Society of Ghana pens open letter to President Mahama on galamsey effects on Children
22 minutes -
Minimie Atsomo launches “Laugh It Off” creator challenge to celebrate Ghanaian humour and creativity
34 minutes -
Middle East crisis: Ablakwa assures all Ghanaians will be supported
39 minutes -
Voting underway in Ayawaso East as over 49,000 voters head to polls across 113 centres
48 minutes -
Bond market: Turnover rose by 43% to GH¢2.98bn
49 minutes -
Banks wrote off GH¢1.64 billion in 2025, NPL stock hits GH¢21.0 billion – BoG
54 minutes -
Let’s brace ourselves for Middle East war fallout—President Mahama to African leaders
54 minutes -
China removes three retired generals from national advisory body
55 minutes -
Andre Ayew’s 2026 World Cup inclusion won’t surprise me – Kofi Adams
57 minutes -
World Sustainability Organization launches Friend of the Earth sustainable packaging certification in Ghana
1 hour -
14-year-old boy seriously injured following alleged abuse in Ashanti Region
1 hour -
Nana Agradaa walks free from prison after release
1 hour -
Man arrested for alleged assault after accident at Maamobi
1 hour