One other participant whose profession trajectory was undoubtedly affected by accidents, Essien was a phenomenon throughout his pomp, combining outrageous bodily attributes with tenacity, recreation intelligence and technical prowess.
After profitable two French titles with Lyon, he took his place in Jose Mourinho’s title-winning Chelsea aspect, happening to clinch a Premier League beneath his mentor’s tutelage in 2006.
The Bison missed the 2010 World Cup as a result of damage, and his affect was largely dimmed by health points by the point of Chelsea’s 2012 Champions League success, however he’d nonetheless go on to signify a few of Europe’s greatest golf equipment – specifically AC Milan and Actual Madrid.
Whereas Essien by no means received Caf’s African Footballer of the Yr award, he was named runner-up – behind Frederic Kanoute – in 2007.