Essien in African Nations Cup [R]

[Teso Dos Bichos]

Ghana coach Ratomir Dujkovic has named Essien in his squad and he will face Nigeria, Senegal and Zimbabwe in their opening round group. They leave for a training camp in Tunisia on Dec. 27 and the opening game is against Nigeria on Jan 23. (http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=352578&cc=5739)

What are your thoughts on this tournament and will Essien encounter any problems from the club for taking part, if he does? I've heard all of the whining from Big Sam when Jay-Jay and friends were called up for previous tournaments, but I haven't heard anything from Chelsea yet. What games will he miss and who do you want to replace him during his absence? Any thoughts? :)

[qazwsx]

We were fairly well placed even before his arrival. It will be a loss yes, but we will get by.

PS. Drogba and Geremi are going too.

[Eddie26]

Ghana coach Ratomir Dujkovic has named Essien in his squad and he will face Nigeria, Senegal and Zimbabwe in their opening round group. They leave for a training camp in Tunisia on Dec. 27 and the opening game is against Nigeria on Jan 23. (http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=352578&cc=5739)

What are your thoughts on this tournament and will Essien encounter any problems from the club for taking part, if he does? I've heard all of the whining from Big Sam when Jay-Jay and friends were called up for previous tournaments, but I haven't heard anything from Chelsea yet. What games will he miss and who do you want to replace him during his absence? Any thoughts? :)

He'll be missed but we have the most depth in the EPL. FACT.

[Walter3000]

Perhaps now after we saw it for the first time, with Essien and Drogba out we will see it some more:
------------Makelele
------------------Lampard

Duff---------Cole--------Robben

-------------Crespo

[Teso Dos Bichos]

Another plus would be him hopefully staying out of the headlines for a few weeks. That should take the heat off him when he returns.

[yasik19]

Perhaps now after we saw it for the first time, with Essien and Drogba out we will see it some more:
------------Makelele
------------------Lampard

Duff---------Cole--------Robben

-------------Crespo

i could just see goals pouring in with that line-up.

[johno]

i could just see goals pouring in with that line-up.

yup.. that's quite scarry... might run into trouble if u faced a physical 5man midfield, but they'd also have to be talented too...

mourinho's also not an idiot - he'd only use that against teams he felt were unable to counter it strongly.

[Walter3000]

yup.. that's quite scarry... might run into trouble if u faced a physical 5man midfield, but they'd also have to be talented too...

mourinho's also not an idiot - he'd only use that against teams he felt were unable to counter it strongly.

There really are not many midfied's in the EPL to fear with the players we have. That lineup is a mere 4-4-1-1. Also, Joe Cole has demonstrated his willingness to track back and get stuck in to win the ball back. With Essien gone, its either that or play Guddy in the middle(less physical and less of a worker than COle), or play Diarra(no thanks).

[Clan]

Ghana coach Ratomir Dujkovic has named Essien in his squad and he will face Nigeria, Senegal and Zimbabwe in their opening round group. They leave for a training camp in Tunisia on Dec. 27 and the opening game is against Nigeria on Jan 23. (http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=352578&cc=5739)

What are your thoughts on this tournament and will Essien encounter any problems from the club for taking part, if he does? I've heard all of the whining from Big Sam when Jay-Jay and friends were called up for previous tournaments, but I haven't heard anything from Chelsea yet. What games will he miss and who do you want to replace him during his absence? Any thoughts? :)

I think you have to take it on the chin, deal with whatever comes along as part of the contract you signed, and keep quiet about missing the player.

You know full well the situation you will be in every second year when you sign these players.

I have always stated on here, that bringing in S Americans is a questionable purchase in the long run, given the amount of time, and thus games, they will miss from travelling half way around the world to play International football.

The Africans are no different in my view.

Also, didn't Big Sam make more of a point about the need for a Winter break in January, as opposed to a whinge about losing Jay-jay?

[schafer]

On a side note, is the qualifying for the ANC based on WCQ results, or is it a separate qualifying campaign?

[JoshDB]

It is based on WC results.

The top two in each African group qualify for the ANC.

[gaijin]

On a side note, is the qualifying for the ANC based on WCQ results, or is it a separate qualifying campaign?

The top three teams in the final standings from the African WCQ's...plus Libya.

And in no particular order;

Group A:
Egypt
Libya
Morroco
Cote d'Ivoire

Group B:
Cameroon
Angola
Togo
Congo DR

Group C:
Tunisia
Zambia
South Africa
Guinea

Group D:
Nigeria
Ghana
Senegal
Zimbabwe

Its in Egypt this year.... And group D is the group of death.

I think the big 4, will be out to win this, even more badly than before - due to their failure in the WCQ's.

[yasik19]

Essien is not a dirty player (http://home.skysports.com/list.asp?hlid=346968&CPID=8&clid=&lid=2&title=Essien+defends+himself).

Thought i'd fit this article here.

[qazwsx]

Who are the big 4?

[schafer]

Nigeria, Senegal, Cameroon, South Africa?

[Clan]

Jose, on Chelsea TV, says that Essien now needs to be protected, as other teams are trying to get the ref to send him off, before he even sets foot on the pitch.

[schafer]

Jose, on Chelsea TV, says that Essien now needs to be protected, as other teams are trying to get the ref to send him off, before he even sets foot on the pitch.

I believe it, teams will do anything to get the edge against Chelsea. That being said, I'm not as worried because it doesn't seem to be a temperament issue, it's just he is all action and goes in too hard. It does need to be addressed, no question.

[Clan]

I believe it, teams will do anything to get the edge against Chelsea. That being said, I'm not as worried because it doesn't seem to be a temperament issue, it's just he is all action and goes in too hard. It does need to be addressed, no question.

I was watching the French highlights on FSC a few weeks ago, it mentioned his last season in France and his cards.

If I remember right, they said he received two reds and 8 (or 11, can't remember) yellow cards.

He does need to calm down some.

[slipereypete]

He does need to calm down some.
maybe a bit, but i quite like how he we now have a player to make others think twice about going into challenges.

[Clan]

maybe a bit, but i quite like how he we now have a player to make others think twice about going into challenges.

...er...you mean like a big raw boned fecker :D