I don’t know how long I’ve waited to hear this news…..well actually I do, it’s been since September 2008 when Essien sustained an injury whilst on international, which was to keep him out for 6 months. Then, when history repeated itself and he broke down in training for Ghana in January, missing the last 5 months of our season yet again, I was about ready to go to war with the Black Stars.
Mind you, that was nothing compared to the end of our double winning campaign – yes, the campaign Essien had missed half of thanks to international duty – because Ghana then had the front to ask if our recovering midfielder would be available for the World Cup.
Forget that he’d suffered consecutive injuries doing just that, forget that he’d spent 11 months out over the past two seasons because he’d been turning out for his country, and forget the fact he hadn’t quite made it back from injury, they still seemed to want to select him and go for the hattrick.
So, the news yesterday that Michael Essien has not only asked to take a break from international duty – but has also been given permission to do so – came as a massive, but extremely welcome surprise.
Following Essien’s decision to concentrate on getting back to his best for his club, Ghana coach Milovan Rajevac says “As you know with Michael he has had two very serious injuries both with the national team in the last two years. It affected him a lot. Whenever he was available he gave his best. Now he wants to concentrate on his club and we all need to understand that and I am sure after sometime he will come back to the national team and when we need him most he will be there to lead the team the way he knows.
“Michael contacted me after I decided on the list for the game against Swaziland and wanted to ask permission to be excused for a while. He didn’t bring this decision only by himself. I understood his thoughts and of course I want to help him to get into his old form, to start playing regularly and I gave that permission. I am sure he will come back to the national team early next year and when we need him the most.”
Fantastic news!
Blue is the colour
