Anthony Yeboah urges Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien to return to the Ghana International team
Anthony Yeboah, the Ghana legend, spoke to the media about Michael Essien and his self imposed exile from the Ghanaian national team. The http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chelsea-c38786 midfielder put his national career on hold because of a knee injury that he had picked up during the start of
last year. The influential holding midfielder missed the African Cup of Nations in 2010 and the preceding 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
The Black Stars were impressive in both competitions, but it makes one wonder what they would have been like had http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Michael-Essien-c25294 been present in the squad. His absence has earned him criticism from fans and team-mates alike, claiming that if the midfielder
was able to play for the club, he should return to play for his country. Some fans are reportedly calling out for Essien to be banned from playing for Ghana again.
Yeboah does not encourage or endorse such harsh measures, in fact the former Ghanaian international revealed he understood Essien’s dilemma and quoted a well known example from the past. He said, “Even Abedi Pele himself was sometimes faced with the difficult
situation of having to choose between club and country. In the end, cool heads prevailed to ensure that the nation benefitted from the talented captain of the side.”
Abedi Pele, often compared to the Brazilian legend http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Ghana-c2905 captain. He captained his country for six years, from 1992 to 1998 and is remembered as one of the greatest African footballer. Pele is still the top goal scorer for the Black Stars
with 33 goals and was a part of the Ghana side that won the African Cup of Nations in 1982. Despite playing for a host of clubs, including Marseille, Lille and Lyon, the Ghanaian did not neglect his country.
Yeboah admitted that the national team could do much better with Essien making a return. The 28-year-old is one of the best holding midfielders in the English Premier League if not the whole of Europe. Yeboah said he hoped Essien would change his mind and
return to the http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Black-Stars-c38646 soon, he continued, “Let's face it, Essien is a massive player and as long as he's playing, the national team stands to benefit from his services.”
Yeboah felt it was time for Essien to return to his national side after putting in a consistent performance for the Blues this season. He added, “I don't think it was a bad decision because sometimes you look at yourself and know you have to concentrate
on your club career. But it has taken too long. Now he's settled, the fitness is good; the performances are not bad, so now is the time for him to come back.”
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