Yeboah sees Essien as vital to Ghana’s cause
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Ghana legend Anthony Yeboah has urged Chelsea’s Michael Essien to end his self-imposed international exile.
The Chelsea midfielder temporarily put his Black Stars career on hold last August, saying he wanted to recuperate fully from a knee injury.
The injury forced him out of the 2010 African Nations Cup in Angola and then the World Cup in South Africa.
Essien’s absence from the national team has been the subject of intense debate amongst football fans in Ghana.
Some fans are so angry with his continued absence that they are even calling for him to be banned from wearing the Black Stars jersey again.
But Yeboah told BBC Sport that Essien is vital to Ghana’s cause and his talent requires special treatment.
Yeboah said: “Even Abedi Pele himself was sometimes faced with the difficult situation of having to choose between club and country.
“In the end, cool heads prevailed to ensure that the nation benefitted from the talented captain of the side,” Yeboah said.
He added: “Let’s face it, Essien is a massive player and as long as he’s playing, the national team stands to benefit from his services.”
Essien has been playing consistently for Chelsea in this current English Premier League season, and Yeboah sees no reason for his prolonged absence.
“I don’t think it was a bad decision because sometimes you look at yourself and know you have to concentrate on your club career.
“But it has taken too long. Now he’s settled, the fitness is good; the performances are not bad, so now is the time for him to come back.”
