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Former Chelsea and Nigeria midfielder John Mikel Obi has paid a glowing tribute to his former teammate Michael Essien, insisting the Ghanaian powerhouse never received the recognition he truly deserved during his time at Stamford Bridge.
Mikel, speaking during a segment with TNT Sports titled Winner Stays On, described Essien as a complete midfielder whose blend of power, speed, and technical ability made him nearly unstoppable in his prime.
“Michael Essien didn’t get the recognition he deserved,” Mikel said. “We talked about so many great midfielders, not just at Chelsea but in the Premier League. We called him the train — when he goes, it’s difficult to stop. Power, speed, technique — everything he had.”
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Essien joined Chelsea in 2005 from Olympique Lyonnais for a then-club record fee and quickly became a fan favourite with his relentless energy and versatility. He was capable of playing as a central midfielder, defensive shield, or even as a right-back — always with maximum intensity.
However, despite his heroics — including stunning long-range goals and crucial performances in title-winning campaigns — injuries derailed his later years in London, ultimately overshadowing what was a stellar career.
Together, Mikel and Essien shared the pitch 125 times for Chelsea, recording 82 wins, 23 draws, and only 20 losses — a testament to their formidable midfield partnership.
Essien was instrumental in Chelsea’s dominance during the mid-to-late 2000s, winning multiple trophies including two Premier League titles, four FA Cups, and the 2011–12 UEFA Champions League — though injury ruled him out of the final stages of that historic European triumph.
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