Desailly wants more time for Essien to decide on his Ghana return

Published on: 12 June 2013
Desailly wants more time for Essien to decide on his Ghana return
Essien stops Barcelona star Lionel Messi

Ex-France captain Marcel Desailly says Ghanaians must stop putting pressure on Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien to end his three-year self-imposed exile from the Black Stars.

The ex-Real Madrid star ace last played for the Black Stars at the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations where he suffered a knee injury in the tournament in Angola.

It was his second serious knee problem he suffered while playing for his country after the first setback  in a World Cup qualifiers in Libya.

Subsequently another knee injury he picked during pre-season training with his club sidelined his for six months which nearly cost him his career.

Essien made a return to active football before the turn of the year in 2011 but asked to be excused from international duty.

He was left out Ghana's squad for the 2012 and 2013 Africa Cup of Nations finals.

It was expected that the former Ream Madrid would have announced his imminent return after last Saturday's charity football he organised but has still not made an announcement despite pleas from the country's President.

But, Desailly who was born in Ghana and grew up in France as a defender, says Essien must be given the time to make his decision.

"It is his own decision, he got three very big injuries where he could have completely stop football," said Desailly.

"Two of the injuries he had was caused by going into national team and playing on bad field which has created a lot of problem for him.

"I think we should leave him in peace and I’m not sure he will be able to answer, yes he wants to come back but his body doesn’t want, he has to stick to one competition.

"Unfortunately the choice is not there for him, from the heart yes is Ghana, yes he will be there but from the physical aspect I’m not sure he can handle it."

This comes as Kevin Prince Boateng, Jordan Ayew and Andre Ayew have all rescinded their decision not to play for Ghana again.

Essien will return to Chelsea next month after spending one season on loan at Spanish giants Real Madrid.

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