Essien happy to play at left-back - Mourinho

Published on: 29 October 2012

Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho says Michael Essien is least bothered by the makeshift defensive role he's being made to play.

The Ghana international has been filling in at left-back following injuries to Marcelo, Alvaro Arbeloa and Fabio Contrao.

The 29-year-old was however less convincing in that defensive role in the 2-1 defeat to Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League game last week.

This drew a lot of criticisms at Mourinho, notably the lashing out of ex Real player Guti who believes the side's youngsters should be given the nod rather than using Essien in his unfamiliar position.

But Los Blancos' Portuguese manager insists his ex Chelsea protégée is happy to play anywhere on the pitch despite taking a pay cut to join the Spanish champions in the summer.

"Essien plays where I wants him to play and he doesn't care what the press writes about him," he said.

"He acts with the same willingness when he decided to join Madrid from Chelsea and earning less money."

Essien put in a solid performance at left-back in Sunday's 5-0 win at Real Mallorca.

 

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