He was really poor today, wasn't he. Got away with an elbow to the face also. Interesting to see if he starts again?The Swiss score with some absolutely idiotic defending (or lack of any effort) from our man..... Sigh.
You raise a good point although Essien was at Chelsea for 9 years and for the best part of that he performed well. From memory.
Essien's Chelsea decline was the worst decline I've seen for a Chelsea player. Torres declined before he came here. Essien was absolutely elite though until he had knee surgery was it? in 2010 and after he was woeful, completely different player.You raise a good point although Essien was at Chelsea for 9 years and for the best part of that he performed well. From memory.
Torres was 27 when he arrived at Chelsea and never really reached the heights achieved at Liverpool. His performances were consistently below par whereas Rudi did have "it" for a while. Rudi was younger when he arrived but I do accept your point that it is not unknown for players to lose form early in their careers.
The one thing all 3 had in common was none were/are particularly naturally gifted meaning once their athletic qualities waned so did their ability to impact games at this level, Alexis Sanchez is another example.You raise a good point although Essien was at Chelsea for 9 years and for the best part of that he performed well. From memory.
Torres was 27 when he arrived at Chelsea and never really reached the heights achieved at Liverpool. His performances were consistently below par whereas Rudi did have "it" for a while. Rudi was younger when he arrived but I do accept your point that it is not unknown for players to lose form early in their careers.
I thought Essiens problems were thigh related. He had the biggest thigh muscles I've ever seen on a footballer so any problem with them would be serious.Essien's Chelsea decline was the worst decline I've seen for a Chelsea player. Torres declined before he came here. Essien was absolutely elite though until he had knee surgery was it? in 2010 and after he was woeful, completely different player.
It may have been, I do remember him having knee surgery at one point though but that might have been in 2011/12.I thought Essiens problems were thigh related. He had the biggest thigh muscles I've ever seen on a footballer so any problem with them would be serious.
He had lots of little niggles, three ‘knee injuries’ and did his ACL twice, the final one was pretty much the nail in the coffin for his time at the club.It may have been, I do remember him having knee surgery at one point though but that might have been in 2011/12.
What was the one he had in 2010? Just after we won the league, because after that there was a huge change in him. He just didn't look the same player at all after that and he was only 28.He had lots of little niggles, three ‘knee injuries’ and did his ACL twice, the final one was pretty much the nail in the coffin for his time at the club.
Probably the second ACL. Lost his legs after that, pace & power was what he was all about. It was such a shame because he was an amazing player to have in your team.What was the one he had in 2010? Just after we won the league, because after that there was a huge change in him. He just didn't look the same player at all after that and he was only 28.
Probably affected him way more than he thought it did.Probably the second ACL. Lost his legs after that, pace & power was what he was all about. It was such a shame because he was an amazing player to have in your team.