Lowdinho is currently in the process of writing the fourth edition, of his acclaimed 'World's Best Youngsters' project. The assignment is a compilation of articles and previews of the best 200 emerging talents in world football. Click 'read more' to view a third extract from the project - an article on Michael Essien of Ghana.

MICHAEL ESSIEN
Full Name: Michael Essien
Country: Ghana
Birth: 22-04-1982 in Accra
Club: Lyon

Powerful Ghanaian hoping to follow in the footsteps of his compatriot Stephen Appiah, and entrench himself as one of the most complete midfielders plying his trade in Europe.

Essien began his career in his native Ghana, turning out for local side Liberty Professionals. Although harbouring ambitions of one day playing in Europe, he was quite content with life in the Ghanaian city of Accra – that was until he participated in the 1999 World Under 17’s Championships in New Zealand. Although Essien was employed in an unfamiliar right wing-back role, he was instrumental in seeing Ghana through to the semi-finals of the competition where they eventually succumbed to the might of Brazil – albeit after extra time. Essien had earned rave reviews, solid enough to have alerted European clubs of his existence.

In July of the following year, FC Bastia, a club from the mountainous Island of Corsica completed the signing of the young Ghanaian. Initially Essien was used in less favourable positions at right-back, left-back and in the centre of defence for the club who compete in the French top flight. It was during his second season with the club that an injury crisis presented him with the opportunity to operate in his preferred central midfield role. Although the switch was foreseen only as a temporary one by his club, the muscularly built African made the position his own.

Internationally Essien was also emerging as a star and possible captain of the future. Argentina was the venue for the esteemed World Youth Championships of 2001. Essien, despite being two years younger then some of his team-mates performed admirably as against all odds, Ghana made it all the way to the competitions final. The opposition were to be Brazil and once again, the South Americans were responsible for bringing the African nations runs to an abrupt halt.

Having already made his full debut for the national team, he was summoned to African Cup of Nations duty in 2002. Although Ghana disappointed by exiting at the quarter final stages, their combative number 8 had illuminated the tournament. His foraging runs from midfield and ball retention were quite magnificent.

The 2002/03 league campaign was the one which really assured Essien’s growing list of admirers that he would be a major star in European football. His box to box play was reminiscent of the African born Patrick Vieira, the Arsenal and France midfielder regarded as one of the World’s very top players. Essien managed to find the net six times in twenty-nine league games and was inspirational as Bastia were shock competitors for a place in the UEFA Cup. Physically strong, a hard tackler and precise passer of the football, attraction in Essien began to be replaced by hardened inquiries. Domestically the big clubs were all too aware of Essien’s class and it therefore came as no surprise when Paris St.Germain, Marseille and Lyon made inquiries. Two English Premiership sides, Everton and their Merseyside counterparts Liverpool, also contacted Bastia as regards to attaining Essien’s services. It became clear that the dynamic African was becoming too big a star for the Corsican minnows to hold on to. When the close season arrived, PSG’s persistence meant that Paris looked the most likely destination. Real Madrid and Manchester United were both reported to be interested although no formal bid was ever received. PSG did table an offer which was accepted by Bastia and the deal appeared to be almost concluded when Essien rejected Paris and plumped for the South-East city of Lyon.

Fierce competition for places in the Lyon midfield may have deterred many a player. Not the ambitious Essien. He declared that the reasoning behind his decision was his desire to play Champions League football. He was prepared to compete with the likes of Juninho Pernambucano, Eric Carriere, Vikash Dhorasoo and Florent Malouda for places in the side. Since joining the reigning champions of France Essien has assumed a more defensive position within the midfield. He is predominantly a ball winner but is also given license to launch the blistering counter-attacks for which he is so comfortable doing. The season proved to be a successful one for both player and side. Essien played regularly as Lyon won their third consecutive French League Title.

So with success at club level already accomplished, Essien is left dreaming of a prosperous international career. Ghana is a nation clearly dissatisfied with the extent to which their great young hopes seem to fade into obscurity. From Nii Lamptey - the player Pele nominated as the best prospect in world football - to Ben Owu and more recently to Dan Addo. The Western African country would give anything to swap ‘potential greats’ for ‘recognised stars’. With the likes of Samuel Kuffour, Appiah and now Essien, maybe - just maybe - the Black Stars can go on to realise their nations dreams of qualifying for their first World Cup Finals.