|
Essien Scopes Chelsea Player of the Year award
Accra, May 15, (GNA) – Ghana’s Michael Essien scooped his
first major silverware of the season after missing out on
the CAF/GLO African Footballer of the year awards in Accra
to his Chelsea compatriot, Didier Drogba.
The surprise fans favourite for the Player of the Year
awards came at the end of an award ceremony held for players
and officials of Chelsea for their performance in the just
ended English Premier League season where they came second
after the eventual winners Manchester United.
A modest Essien in his reaction after being declared the
winner of the prestigious award as well as the scorer of the
fans goal of the season for 2007 spoke of his astonishment
at picking up two awards. .
Information gathered by the GNA Sports from the official
website of the Club, Chelseafc.com said the 24-year-old
Ghanaian added to a memorable and varied second season at
the Club by collecting both of the honours voted on by
supporters.
The other was Goal of the Season and he received them at a
lavish ceremony at Battersea Evolution in London, attended
by over 1000 of those fans and broadcast live on Chelsea TV.
The climax of the evening, which was hosted by BBC's Gabby
Logan and Sky Sports' Matthew Lorenzo, was the moment it was
announced that Essien had become the first African to win
Player of the Year, that announcement and the trophy
presentation made by Chelsea Football Club's life
vice-president Lord Attenborough.
'I am really surprised,' the winner admitted. His head had
dropped on to the table in front when he heard the result
read out.
'I am really happy for this though. I have to thank the fans
and the credit goes to my team-mates. They have been
fantastic this season.'
Though taken aback, he had a good idea why he has been so
appreciated by the fans.
'I have had to fill in a lot of space, right-back,
centre-half, and I did everything for the team. We are all
happy for the season. I have enjoyed every moment of it. It
has been really hard for us and I think we deserve credit.'
Essien himself certainly received more credit when the
evening's presentation ceremony commenced with the
supporters' vote on Goal of the Season. His 35-yard
thunderbolt against Arsenal at Stamford Bridge in December
topped the poll.
'I meant to do it,' he confirmed. 'I called to Frank [Lampard],
he gave me the ball and the first thing that came into my
mind was to shoot. They are one of our big rivals so to
score a fantastic goal against them is nice. But I am
surprised it won.'
The best goal award had been presented by BBC Match of the
Day's Gary Lineker.
For the main Player of the Year accolade, Essien had beaten
competition from Didier Drogba and Ricardo Carvalho, the two
other nominees by most votes gained.
Charlie Cooke, a double Chelsea Player of the Year from 1968
and 1975, paid tribute to that achievement.
'I think it could have been any of them but you have to say
well deserved Michael Essien. He's such a powerful player
that you could play him almost anywhere in defence and
midfield and he is going to do a good job. In the midfield,
no doubt at all - world class.'
Cooke was there to hand over the Adidas Chelsea Young Player
of the Year award which went to another African - John Mikel
Obi.
'I am happy with the way I am improving at Chelsea and I
made the right choice in coming here,' said the 20-year-old
Nigerian after the quality in his first season in London had
been recognised.
'The manager and the rest of the players have been very nice
to me and I want to thank the manager for giving me the
opportunity to prove myself even though we have lots of big
players here.'
There was consolation for Drogba for missing out on the main
honour when his team-mates, and the staff he works with
day-to-day at the training ground, chose the team's top
scorer as Samsung Players' Player of the Year.
'It means a lot for me,' he said. 'I want to thank my mates
because they don't know how much I love them for what they
did for me all season. They gave everything for me.'
Drogba had collected his trophy from another to have led the
attack for Chelsea - Gianluca Vialli who received a
tremendous reception.
Another appropriate ex-Blue to hand over an award, and the
very first Player of the Year for his goalkeeping excellence
back in 1967, was Peter Bonetti.
He presented a new award for Outstanding Achievement which
went to Petr Cech in recognition of his remarkable comeback
from serious injury.
'Everyone was looking out for me, everyone helped me when I
was in a difficult situation and everyone involved in
Chelsea Football Club - supporters, medical department,
players - take huge credit for my achievement,' Cech said.
'They gave me the energy and the motivation to come back as
soon as I could.'
The other honour of the night was the Young Talent award for
the Academy player who has impressed the most, chosen by
director of youth development Frank Arnesen, Academy manager
Neil Bath and reserve team coach Brendan Rodgers.
It went to striker Ben Sahar who at the age of 17 became
Chelsea's youngest ever international appearance maker and
goal-scorer.
GNA
|
