Former Black star midfielder, Michael Essien has praised young midfielder Caleb Yirenkyi, drawing striking comparisons between the youngster and his own early playing days.

Essien, widely regarded as one of Ghana’s finest midfielders, revealed that while Yirenkyi has developed a unique style of play, there are moments that remind him of himself as a young footballer.

“Caleb Yirenkyi has got his own style of play, but sometimes I see some glimpses that remind him of me when I was little,” Essien said.

The former Chelsea star also highlighted the close relationship he shares with the budding talent, noting Yirenkyi’s eagerness to learn and improve.

“He always comes to me and asks questions and I try to give him the best advice and he takes it on board. Hopefully he can be a huge player in the future,” he added.

Essien was full of admiration for Yirenkyi’s attitude and discipline, describing him as a hardworking and respectful individual who lets his performances do the talking.

“I can only say good things about him. He’s such a hard-working guy. He’s very calm, very respectful, very quiet. He does his talking on the pitch and it’s good to see him doing very well for the team,” Essien noted.

PAH/JE