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: