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
-
Former Upper West Minister Backs Dr Issahaku Moomin for NPP Treasurer Position
18 minutes -
Legal Education Reform: Assafuah questions possible return of entrance exams under new bar training system
1 hour -
2026 Apostolic Visitation commences at Cedar Mountain Chapel
1 hour -
Gov’t urged to strengthen capacity of MMDAs to improve building permit regulation
1 hour -
Sugarcane farmers call off protest, set July deadline for government action on Komenda factory
2 hours -
Asafo-Adjei Ayeh questions effectiveness of World Cup Committee after Partey’s visa setback
2 hours -
Use diplomatic channels to secure Partey’s entry into Canada – Asafo-Adjei Ayeh to gov’t
2 hours -
Gov’t should have foreseen Partey’s visa challenge – Bosome Freho MP
2 hours -
UCC opens internal probe into death of Level 200 student
2 hours -
From invisible to influential : Why Africans must take personal branding seriously
3 hours -
Police rule out visible assault in death of UCC student found on beach as investigations continue
3 hours -
Education Minister mourns UCC student, orders full investigation into death
3 hours -
Loud and Green : Plastic is not waste, it is an opportunity – PlasticPreneur challenges Ghana’s perception of plastic pollution
4 hours -
Government failed in diplomatic engagements over Partey’s visa issue – Bosome Freho MP
4 hours -
Loud and Green : Young climate advocate calls for a shift from single-use plastics to tackle flooding
4 hours