Essien can be world's best footballer - Sly Tetteh

Accra, May 22, GNA - Alhaji Sly Tetteh, President of Dansoman based Liberty Professionals Football Club, the man on whose back Michael Essien rode to the European soccer circuit has predicted his ward would one day top the performers' chart in the world of football.

Speaking to the GNA Sports about the performance of the former Liberty Professionals player, who earned global rave reviews in the just ended soccer season for his superlative, multi-positional display for Chelsea of England, Alhaji Tetteh said despite the high grades Essien earned in the season, he was convinced the player was still far away from his peak.

"Michael has the potential to play much better than he has done so far and there is every indication that he can be the world's best player one day."

While many soccer followers marvel at the transformation of Essien from a midfield general to a defensive kingpin during the injury crisis of Chelsea and tend to credit coach Jose Mourinho for the switch, Alhaji Sly said Essien rather returned to a position he was very familiar with.

He said when Liberty discovered Essien, they used him in central defence but his style was a bother to the technical team, which decided to convert him into a midfield player, where he would dominate and drive the team forward.

"Essien was over confident as a central defender as he always took his time and dribbled the ball past his opponents with ease while we became worried and concerned, fearing that he would lose the ball in the vital area to the detriment of the team."

The Liberty President said, "the high confidence level of Essien has contributed positively to his development, which is still at the middle level and will blossom in the coming years."

He described Essien as a "born footballer" who has the strength, the zeal, the determination and the focus to succeed, adding that Essien needed the support of every Ghanaian as he aspires to become the best in the world.

Alhaji Tetteh advised Ghanaians who viewed Essien as unpatriotic to eschew such perceptions and appreciate the contributions Essien has made to the national team, "despite the high risks involved in answering national calls in Africa, where there is no protection and security for the players."

"Essien has done well for Ghana football and I urge Ghanaians to appreciate and acknowledge the contributions he has made instead of trying to taint his achievements with uncomplimentary remarks."

Michael Essien, who was a member of the Black Starlets, the national Under 17 soccer team and a player of Liberty Professional moved to Manchester United for trials at the instance of the Dansoman club in 1999.

According to Alhaji Tetteh, though he impressed, United requested for another Ghanaian youth player to partner him because of his tender age. Unfortunately, his partner could not satisfy the technical hierarchy of United.

Under the circumstances, United wanted Essien to have a stint in Belgium and it was at that time that Liberty Professionals snapped up a deal with Bastia of France.

Essien impressed at Bastia, from where he joined French giants Olympique Lyonnais, with whom he won the French title.

Essien was on the shopping of Jose Mourinho when the Portuguese tactician joined Chelsea from Porto and despite the reluctance of Lyon to let him go, the player declared his heart was out of Lyon, thus compelling the management of the French champions to let him go for about 27 million pounds sterling.

He has since made a phenomenal rise, winning the Barclays Premiership with Chelsea in his first season and the FA Cup in his second, becoming the fans player of the year for his club and one of the most appreciated and admired actors of the English game. 22 May 07