Former Ghanaian international Michael Essien has opened up about his record-breaking transfer from Olympique Lyon to Chelsea, a move that raised eyebrows when it happened.
Essien joined Chelsea in 2005 for £24.4 million, making him the club’s most expensive signing during that transfer window.
While the move was a dream come true for Essien, the hefty price tag sparked widespread criticism, with many questioning whether he was worth the money.
Now, 19 years after his arrival at Stamford Bridge, Essien has reflected on how he was determined to prove his critics wrong by working hard under the guidance of Portuguese manager Jose Mourinho.
“My dream was to play in the Premier League, and when the opportunity came, I jumped on it. It was great to represent Ghana in the Premier League,” Essien shared.
“It was a big transfer move at the time. Those who didn’t know me questioned whether I was worth the money. But it was up to me to show it. Mourinho gave me all the confidence.”
On this day in 2005, Chelsea agreed to sign Michael Essien from Lyon for £24.4m… 🇬🇭💙 pic.twitter.com/gFhJclgPsn
— CFC-Blues (@CFCBlues_com) August 14, 2024
Essien admitted that adapting to the physicality of the Premier League was challenging, but he quickly showed his worth. “It was very physical at that time, and that was my focus.
It was very hard to adapt, but I showed that, and quickly the fans fell in love with me, and the rest is history.”
Essien’s time at Chelsea was marked by success, as he won two Premier League titles, four FA Cups, the League Cup, and the UEFA Champions League.
His determination to prove himself on the pitch turned the initial doubts into admiration, securing his place as one of Chelsea’s most beloved players.
