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Former Kenya international Charles Okwemba has emphatically said that the comparison between Michael Essien and Mikel Obi is out of place because the Ghanaian is by far the best player.
Essien joined Blues in 2005 from the French Ligue 1 team, Lyon.
The 36-year-old won the hearts of fans and went on to make 168 appearances for the London-based team and spent nine years at the club, scoring 17 goals in the process.
“Every coach would love to have a combative midfielder like Essien on their team,” Okwemba told Goal on Friday.
“He was a very powerful and energetic box-to-box midfielder who played passionately and hated to lose. One thing with him was his pace of work; that’s why he was loved at the club and became an asset to the team. “
“Essien was a great tackler and quickly adapted to the situation on the field, but his consistency and attitude always worked for him.”
The 40-year-old has explained why he will go for the Ghanaian at any time instead of another former Chelsea midfielder, former Nigerian captain John Obi Mikel.
“Mikel did have talent but he is not close to Essien; the latter literally struggled to help his team. It is not surprising [Jose] Mourinho signed it with Real Madrid.
“If I have the chance, I will choose Essien for my team over Mikel, there are no two ways to do it.”
Essien and Mikel Obi played for Chelsea and won many laurels.
