Michael Essien Setback? Or the Mindset of a Downtrodden Footballer?
by Richard Farley on Apr 24, 2010 2:11 PM EDT
3 comments
The original timeline of Michael Essien's recovery was six weeks. That was four months ago.
Having suffered a knee injury this winter, the Chelsea midfielder was forced to miss the African Cup of Nations, where Ghana finished an admirable second, Milovan Rajevac's squad emphasizing youth. Had their captain been healthy, Egypt's African reign may have ended.
And had Essien been healthy for Chelsea, Manchester United may not still be competing for a fourth consecutive English Premier League title. Regardless, the Blues have planned their run-in assuming Essien will not return this year, though as of last week, it was thought Essien would be healthy for Ghana come June (or, in fact, May).
Now we are hearing news that Essien may miss the World Cup entirely. The source of this news, the man himself; or, more readily, the press running with a player who's become downtrodden with pragmatism:
"Until I know how the injury improves, it'll be difficult to say whether I'll make the World Cup," he told Ghanaian media this week.
"If not, I'll have to sit at home and support the team like every Ghanaian. It would be a disappointment but the World Cup is the best and most difficult football tournament in the world, and I'd rather be there fully fit."
Given what Essien has been through - the trials of rehab combined with the disappointment of setbacks - you can not blame the all-world midfielder for feeling down. Additionally, nobody knows his own health like Essien. Perhaps I should give him the benefit of the doubt.
Still, last week Chelsea announced a mid-May return for Essien. That announcement came from Carlo Ancelotti, who it's safe of assume has been communicating with his medical staff.
All things considered, I think Essien will be at the World Cup, though given the quotes of the last few days, I feel for where this knee injury has taken him mentally.
More on Essien's recovery:
Chelsea resigned to missing Michael Essien for rest of the season with knee injury - Telegraph
Michael Essien concerned he might miss World Cup - Soccer - SI.com
Injured Essien fears he may miss World Cup - USATODAY.com
BBC - Piers Edwards’s Blog: How much would Ghana miss Essien?
BBC Sport - Football - Michael Essien says he may be forced to miss World Cup
Knee Injury May Keep Ghana's Essien Out Of World Cup - NYTimes.com
Ghana's Essien reveals 2010 World Cup injury fears | Ghanasoccernet.com
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man, another piece of bad news
i was/am excited to see what Essien could do in the World Cup.
I can’t imagine how difficult it must be to keep one’s spirits up as you contemplate missing the World Cup. I get all in the dumps when I miss a season of rec soccer.
I still am ...
… but reading that quote, I feel terrible for him, the mindset he is in.
There probably is not one player whose country looks to him more of leadership and performance than Essien. Drogba deserves a mention here, too, and perhaps I’m forgetting somebody, but he is so important.
Let’s hope we’ll see him.
Disappointing.
Essien’s one of the best in the world, and the Copa wouldn’t be the same without him. I hope he recovers in time.
Not mediocre. Right about average
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