I was dubious but what I've seen of him has been fantastic - better than Gerrard! Time will tell and it may just be a purple patch but I'm glad to have - so far - been proven wrong.
Was it Essien or Makelele who lost possession in our own half in the Charlton game that led to a good opportunity for the opponent? (I couldnt tell who it was..) Essien is a perfect player for EPL and Chelsea. He is strong, fast, has good vision and his pass is not bad at all. As Lampard is not in top form right now, he is the key for us to control the midfield. Hi all, I am new to the board!
Welcome to the board. What's impressed me most about Essien is actually his passing. Its surprisingly good, like those two lovely balls to Crespo in the Charlton game.
do anyone know if Essien long range passing is good or not? I didnt follow Lyon's game that much. Or we'll just have to rely on Frankie when he is back in form? Imagine if both Frankie and Essien can put a accurate long pass for our wingers to run, it would be very hard to defend as both of them can initiate the counter-attack.. (well of course JT's long pass is not bad too) So Essien is in the starting XI now, I guess Eidur will be the first one to replace them if one of Frank and Essien is out. Well then who would be the next one in the line? Joe Cole? (or will he remain as a winger all season?)
Honestly, i can only remember short to middle-range passes by Essien and they were very accurate. I haven't seen him pass too many long balls and for his role, i don't really think he nneds to. However, i'm sure he is capable of more then what we have seen. As for Eidur, it's tough to say. He's had a soar throat for a while now and should be fit by this weekend. I could see him replacing Essien, don't know about Frankie. As for Joe Cole, as long as everyone is healthy, i don't see him in any other role than a winger, unless he plays in the middle when Jose might give Frankie the rest for CC games.
I thought Essien had a very good game.He's continously picking the MOM awards.Did you see how comfrotably he slotted in at left back when Carvallho was taken out? He's everywhere on the field,and he doesn't seem to get tired.Am really beginning to think its better we got him not Gerrard.
Agreed. Eissien looks like he is worth every penny. I still rate Gerrard higher but Eissen is younger and wont get himself hurt by stealing hubcaps.
Essien looks like he will be sharing a lot of the work with Makelele, but getting forward much more. But, he will also allow Makelele the odd foray forward. I predict Makelele will get another goal this season.
I personally think J. Cole is better in the middle. His passing is very underrated, he's got more agility and better ball control than Essien or Lampard, but he doesn't, IMO, have the pace to be a very effective winger, and his crossing is not great.
I agree that JCole is not a very effective winger, but i definitely do not think he has better ball control than either Frankie or Essien. Cole should ideally be playing b/w a striker and the midfield. There's no such position in our formation, thus Jose doesn't play him very often this year. Last year, with Robben out for long periods, he played as a winger, but in reality, played through the center a lot more than a typical winger would.
Maybe J. Cole doesn't have better ball control than Essien or Lampard, but he does have more natural agility that allows him to make quick turns, change directions quickly, etc., and that can be very useful in the middle of a crowded midfield. Lamps and Essien are certainly better CM's, but I think J. Cole provides a different option for the middle of the park, which is his strongest position, IMO.
Ah right that justifys it. I think Aaron Lennon is better than Lampard from what I've seen this season.
Yes, although Aaron Lennon didn't win player of the year in France, now did he. Frankly, if you've watched Essien this season, he's looked absolutely fantastic.
I think Essien's defensive and possesional skills approach Makalele's. And his passing is up there too. Maybe he doesn't quite have the touch that Lampard has on the long-range passes but in the short and medium range, he's spot on every time. Where Essien lacks compared to Lampard and Gerrard is in his shot and the ability to create space for himself in/around the box. Finally, Essien's durability and work-rate is as good as anyone I've seen in the Premiership.
does he really need to practise when he will just "miss" again and prod in the parry so it goes down as a goal from open play.
Oh my GOD. I miss-read the title of this thread. Thought it said "Einstein", which was somewhat perplexing, and then I read that opening quote and was even MORE confused!. Finally spotted my error and felt rather silly lol
Yeah nice one I'm sure there was someone "better" than him where your from though. Do me a favour though define better as I doubt he was better at football than Gerrard or Essien which is the context of this particluar thread. My toaster is better than you.