How Mourinho would dearly love to find new Essien
IF Jose Mourinho could create a composite of his perfect midfielder, it would look a lot like Michael Essien.
And when the United manager goes in search of a replacement for Michael Carrick this summer, he will be looking for a player who can influence his side in the manner of the former Chelsea and Real Madrid player.
But Mourinho’s relationship with the Ghanaian goes beyond just player and manager.
Describing him as his ‘son,’ Mourinho developed a rare bond with Essien and trusted him to ‘die’ for his team.
How many of United’s current squad would he say likewise about?
Paul Pogba doesn’t elicit anything like the praise Essien does.
Instead, the Frenchman’s Old Trafford future has been thrown into doubt after being dropped for key games since the turn of the year.
But Mourinho’s description of his relationship with Essien provides a telling insight into the qualities he values from his players.
“He was not my player, he is my son,” he said. “I am his white daddy. More than stories, feelings.
“He is more than a player to me. He was probably the one that took me to his home, to his real home. To the place where he was born. To the street where he was playing football as a kid.
“To meet the mum, to meet the friends, to meet everyone that grew up with him in Ghana.
“He made me fall in love with the country, with Accra, the place where he was living because then I understand better the mentality, I understand better why as a player he was ready for everything– he was ready to die for the fellow players, for the club, for the manager.”
Mourinho is determined to land the midfielder he believes will be key to United’s title challenge next season.
Fred, Jorginho, Jean-Michael Seri, Arturo Vidal and Marco Verratti have all crossed his radar as he considers the ideal player to compliment Pogba and Nemanja Matic as a midfield three.
But it is not just about ability on the pitch – Mourinho is searching for the personality to help turn his team into champions.
And he sets the benchmark high when it comes to emulating Essien, who he signed for Chelsea and Real.
“He was ready to play like he did for me in Real Madrid with a knee that was not a knee anymore – it was a destroyed knee,” he told Stadium Astro.
“With that personality that desire, mentality, suffering – but always suffering with a smile. Michael smiles a lot with his eyes.
“I love so many of my players – but I think Michael would be on the podium for sure.”