Real Madrid

Michael Essien is having an intense first month as a Real Madrid player, and he’s not hiding how happy he is to be defending the white shirt and to be under José Mourinho’s command. “I am really looking forward to having a great season and to defending our title as League Champions.” This Sunday they host Deportivo de la Coruña in Santiago Bernabéu stadium, and this Ghanaian is only thinking about scoring three points before his fans. “We have won two matches in a row and we hope to extend our winning streak,” he stated in an interview with the website Bwin.

The new Madrid reinforcement has already been able to see why this club is different from the rest: “We are talking about Real Madrid, the biggest club in the world. Any player would wish to be here.” Essien said about his best moment to date that “everyone is good… Coming to train and meet my teammates, joking with them. I enjoy each training session every day.”

The Ghanaian football player believes he can bring a lot to the team in order to attain the most successes possible. He defines himself as “a calm and quiet a player off the field—but on it, it’s another story. That’s where I play my game and enjoy my football. In time, everyone will know me.”

Another one of the reasons Essien has adapted so quickly is José Mourinho, with whom he has a close relationship: “I feel great. I call him dad. It feels great to be working with him again. He’s a coach who knows me really well. He brought me to Chelsea, so he knows my qualities and what I can contribute. I am really happy to be under his command again. He hopes to fight together for more titles for Real Madrid.”

Essien has been shown how competitive the Spanish League is. Deportivo de la Coruña will be a new test for Real Madrid. “It has been a tough start but sometimes you are in this situation. We have won two matches in a row and I hope that Sunday we can extend our winning streak to three. All the games are important and we need to win more, get more points to fight for the title.” The Ghanaian also spoke of the differences between the Spanish League and the Premier League: “The Spanish League is one of the most important and toughest Leagues in Europe. Many people speak of the Premier League as the best, but the Spanish League is more fun. You play more football and you score more goals. The fans enjoy it. I am really looking forward to having a great season and to defending our title.”

About his favorite in the Premier League, Essien confessed that it is “Chelsea. They have a good opportunity, but you never know what could happen in the Premier League. I would choose them for the title.” Lastly, he remarked that when he retires, he would like to work on social projects. “I’ll have more time to work in my Foundation and thus try to help children and those most in need in Ghana. That would be my greatest challenge when I quit football.”