Audio By Carbonatix
Former Ghana midfielder, Michael Essien, has opened up about his special connection with Ivorians throughout his professional career as a footballer and now as a coach.
The 2006 BBC African Footballer of the Year played alongside the likes of Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou during his illustrious career at Chelsea, winning the 2011/12 Champions League with both.
Now, as an Individual Talent Coach at FC Nordsjaelland, Essien has reconnected with a number of Ivorians, including Simon Adingra and Mohamed Diomande.
He disclosed that Diomande is a player who used to visit his house frequently during his time at the Danish club.
“I think I'm just lucky. Of course, I'm from Sekondi-Takoradi. I'm close to Ivory Coast; probably that's why,” Essien told Joy Sports’ Fentuo Tahiru Fentuo in an interview at the Nordsjaelland’s Farum Park in Denmark.
“I was at Chelsea with a few Ivorians. Also, coming here with all these young Ivorians, and I could speak French, makes it easier for us to connect.”
Asked if Ivorian players have different attitudes, Essien added, “I think it's more or less the same.
“It just depends on the individual how much you want it and how much you want to work at it to take your football to different levels.”
Watch full conversation between Fentuo and Essien below:
Latest Stories
-
‘Aboboyaa’ waste collectors protest additional toll by Asokwa assembly
12 minutes -
Ghana marks World Cancer Day with renewed commitment to breast cancer care financing
19 minutes -
Beyond the Headlines: Understanding Ghana’s Inflation through an Economist’s Lens
22 minutes -
NN Est Metals urges gov’t to reopen facility, cites 400 jobs at risk
33 minutes -
Parliamentary Immunisation Caucus launched to strengthen Ghana’s vaccine financing
37 minutes -
Security and free movement are complementary, not competing goals – Interior Minister
38 minutes -
We won’t treat you with kid’s gloves; make sure to get your numbers – Minority warns Majority
43 minutes -
Ghana’s cocoa sector on the brink as buyers warn of imminent collapse
58 minutes -
Education Minister’s office dismisses social media claims of NDC flagbearer ambitions
1 hour -
Rebranding Kotoka International Airport could cost Ghana $2–5 million – Frank Dadzie
1 hour -
Licensed Cocoa Buyers Association urges funding, pricing and policy reforms to stabilise Ghana’s cocoa sector
1 hour -
Dozens of Muslims ‘massacred’ in Nigeria for refusing to join jihadists, says governor
1 hour -
Photos: President Mahama’s address in Zambia’s Parliament
1 hour -
Kejetia Market clears legacy electricity debts, stable power restored
1 hour -
Don’t dismiss repeated plea-bargain claims under ORAL – Senanu tells AG
1 hour