Michael Essien reveals how he secured his position at Chelsea

Michael Essien has revealed how he was able to claim a spot in the Chelsea team.

Chelsea announced the signing of the former Ghana International in August 2005 when he became the most expensive African Footballer after a £24.4 million transfer from French Club Olympique Lyon.

The midfielder was able to quickly adapt and forced his way into a strong Chelsea squad.

Essien in an interview with South Africa’s Carol Tsabalala explained how he fitted in and secured his position at the Club.

“You look around the dressing room, every player can come in and perform without any question, it was tough to keep your position so every day you have to prove yourself that you deserve to be in that team,” he said.

“I was lucky, I was playing alongside Makelele, Frank Lampard and you know Frank likes to go forward a lot with his anticipation, with his goals so we had to plan everything around him especially Makelele and I and you know we have Makelele who was always in front of the back four, I was kind of in between them.”

He spent nine years at the Club winning two League titles, four FA Cup trophies, one League Cup, one Community Shield and one Champions League title before leaving the Club in 2014.

In addition he was named the Chelsea Player of the Year once and also won the Goal of the season with his stunning strike against Arsenal in the 2006/07 season.