http://tinyurl.com/y6txmm Kevin McCarra Thursday November 2, 2006 The Guardian The midfield has been altered most over the past year-and-a-half and Michael Essien is enjoying unique prominence. He is the only member of the squad who, starting with the Community Shield, has been in action for every second of Chelsea's 16 fixtures this season. Satirists might once have argued that this was merely a desperate attempt by his employers to get value for money. Mourinho had faith in Essien even then and few dissent now. "Michael is unbelievable," the manager said after Tuesday's game. "He's too strong for opponents. The way he plays is completely clean. Mikey had a very good game but this is the level he's been playing at since the beginning of the season." Essien brought momentum to the side and Chelsea set about Barcelona with a gusto they had not shown under Mourinho in his two previous trips to Camp Nou. The 23-year-old had ample assistance. Even if the midfield who play ahead of Claude Makelele still do not dovetail as neatly as the manager would wish, Michael Ballack, Essien and Lampard make up a trio of daunting individuals. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://tinyurl.com/uqv5k Richard Williams Thursday November 2, 2006 The Guardian Essien, too, has taken the opportunity to shine, his unremitting physicality the chief ingredient in this season's very different Chelsea. The abrupt tackling, decisive passing and forceful incursions into the opposition's penalty area, all executed with a speed of thought and action that make him almost impossible to handle, evoke memories of Billy Bremner and Bryan Robson, those curators of the essence of the British game. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ http://tinyurl.com/y3evhe By Henry Winter Last Updated: 3:56am GMT 02/11/2006 Telegraph Yet the real fifth cause to promote Chelsea's credentials as potential European champions is Michael Essien. The Ghanaian was terrific again at the Nou Camp, full of athletic endeavour, and now displaying the type of technical expertise he showed at Lyons. Essien has all the muscular sheen of a European champion in the making. If the draw is kind, if they avoid their bete noir in Liverpool (led by a coach in Rafa Benitez who will not fall for Mourinho's mind games), Chelsea should enjoy this season. --

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