Persib Bandung coach insists Michael Essien is key to his plans for next season

Persib Bandung certainly will not release one of the important pillars, Michael Essien as new head coach Mario Gomez reveals he needs the Ghanaian for next season.

Essien earned a year contract extension from the club despite his inability to help them win the Indonesia League this season.

"Essien is still in Persib with Ezechiel N'Douassel on a one-year contract," Essien’s agent Mathieu said.

On the other hand, new coach Mario Gomez once stated that Essien is a key part of his game scheme for next season.

"For a foreign player, Essien is a good player. He has a character, he can help the team, he is senior. Therefore, we look first and we do not want to choose any foreign players too. We want to bring one striker and one stopper (foreign), "said Gomez.

Essien had once expressed the convenience of playing in Indonesia. "Indonesian football standards are pretty good and not as easy as people think," said Michael Essien.

"In the League of Indonesia there are also a number of good players. The players also fit to play with me, "he said.

Essien contribution was very important for Persib Bandung, guiding them to escape relegation finishing 13th at the end of the season.

In 23 appearances Essien managed to record five goals.