Former Arsenal star, Robert Pires has tagged former Ghana and Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien as the best African player in Premier League history.
Robert Pires in an interview with the media said "I played against him[Essien] sometimes and he was very strong, very competitive and a very good player with impact, especially in his position. He had good technique too. You know if you play for Chelsea then it means you have quality and Michael Essien had talent and that’s why he was successful at Chelsea,â€
According to Robert Pires, he encountered the former Black Stars player in a number of Premier League games when Arsenal faced Chelsea.
Pires disclosed that Micheal Essien was able to master the Chelsea midfield with much tenacity and technique due to his good talent on the field.Â
Micheal Essien joined Chelsea in 2005 as the most expensive African footballer for a fee of £24.4 million after a successful stint with French giants Olympique Lyonnais.
He made 168 appearances with the London club annexing two Premier League trophies as well as three FA Cups, a League Cup and the UEFA Champions League in 2012.
Read also:Â Essien, Drogba among Kwadwo Asamoah's favourite African players
“I think yes because he was very good that is why I repeat for your country Michael Essien is a very good example for someone they want to be like. If you want to be like Essien you have to try and follow his steps,†Pires added in response to a question if Essien was best African player to ever play the Premier League?
The 45-year-old was a member of the France squad that won the World Cup in 1998, as well as the Euros in 2000 and he was also part of Arsenal’s Invincible side that went unbeaten en route to winning the title in the 2003-04 season.
Robert Pires arrived in Ghana last Thursday as part of Barclays Bank Ghana’s launch of the Super Fans Fanzone.
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