Nana Agyemang: Mourinho can re-create Essien

Astute football coach and analyst Nana Kwaku Agyemang is backing Michael Essien to succeed at Real Madrid after the Ghanaian superstar joined the record Spanish and European champions on loan last Friday’s transfer deadline.

Nana Agyemang reckons that Essien couldn’t have got a better coach to revive his career under than Jose Mourinho, the Portuguese tactician who first signed him for Chelsea in 2005. “It’s a good move for him, a better move than to Arsenal because he joins a coach whom he has a good relationship with. Mourinho is a good coach and he can re-create Essien,” the former Eleven Wise coach told 90 MINUTES.

He continued: “He is no more the box to box player, that one is accepted but Mourinho can get a lot out of him. He can give Essien another role or even use him in central defence because Essien started as a central defender. That is his position,” Nana Agyemang is also counting on a revival of the midfield powerhouse’s career because of the gains the national team stands to accrue.

“I hope it works for him because if it works, then the Black Stars will also be a beneficiary,” Nana Agyemang stated.

He continued: “All the pictures look nice, everybody is smiling to him but we don’t know if Mourinho wants to use him as a back-up or he will go straight into the first team. If he gains regular playing time, then he is a player than can walk back into the national team.

“I’m looking at it positively because Real Madrid is not a small team, they have lots of top players and play at the highest level. It’s a very good move for Essien a big opportunity to revive his career and offer Kwasi Appiah the chance to recall him to the Black Stars,” Nana Agyemang said.