Michael Essien has reflected on the pace of his deadline day switch from Chelsea to Real Madrid and on the special relationship he has with Jose Mourinho.
Essien signed for Los Blancos close to the end of the summer transfer window, agreeing a one-year loan move from English side Chelsea.
For the Ghanaian midfielder, it was not a move he had to think twice about, as it was a chance to reunite with Mourinho, the man who signed him for the London side in 2005.
“Everything happened so far, I was in the hotel when Mourinho called and said that he was ready to take me,” revealed the footballer, who will wear the No 15 shirt this season, at today’s conference.
“Mourinho’s call was more than enough to convince me to come here. I just wanted to play football. He call me and I said yes.
“I see him as a father because he was the one who took me to Chelsea. I know him very well and I love him too – we have a very good relationship, we understand each other.”
The 29-year-old also reflected that he would be willing to play wherever his ‘father’ wished in the team.
“Real Madrid have very good players, but I’m ready to play in any position Mourinho asks me to. I’d be delighted to win titles this way.
“I have had some fitness problems in the past, but I’m strong. If I am not ready for Real Madrid then I would not have signed.
“I will work hard and at the end of the season we will see what happens [with Chelsea].”
