Monday, 15th October, 2012
Michael Essien believes Jose Mourinho has not changed as a manager since he last worked under the Portuguese.
Mourinho bossed Essien at Chelsea between 2005 and 2007 and this summer swooped to take the midfielder on loan to Real Madrid, where he is now in charge.
relatedNewsStoryThe move came out of the blue on transfer deadline day, as a direct result of Real Madrid agreeing to sell Lassana Diarra to Anzhi Makhachkala.
Essien was only too happy to answer the call of the man he still calls "daddy", viewing Mourinho as a father figure.
And the 29-year-old has encountered more than a familiar face, with the Portuguese tactician broadly the same as he was at Chelsea, in Essien’s opinion.
Asked about "Daddy Mourinho", the Ghana star told his official site "Yes ‘daddy’ hasn’t changed at all. He expects hard work from all his players and wants 100% all the time.
"His desire to win every competition is still the same and I have always had a very good relationship with him."
And Essien stressed that when Mourinho wanted him, he felt he simply had to answer the call.
"Well it is no secret that Jose Mourinho had a big influence on my career when he brought me to England", said the Real Madrid new boy.
"He was good and kind enough to join me on a trip to Ghana when we were at Chelsea, so when he showed interest in signing me, I had no hesitation at all."
So far Essien has clocked up four appearances for Real Madrid – two in La Liga and two in the Champions League. And recent injuries to Marcelo and Fabio Coentrao look set to hand him even more playing time soon.
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