Fit-again Michael Essien insists he wasn't bothered by criticism during difficult injury spell at Panathinakos

Published on: 08 December 2015
Fit-again Michael Essien insists he wasn't bothered by criticism during difficult injury spell at Panathinakos
Michael Essien has now played back-to-back games for Panathinakos

Ghana midfielder Michael Essien insists he was never bothered by the heap of criticisms he received during his spell on the sidelines at Panathinaikos.

The 32-year-old has only started playing for the Greek giants having fully recovered from a series of injury setbacks.

Essien was unable to play for Panathinaikos when he first joined the club in the summer as a free agent.

He has had to battle series of muscle injuries which delayed his debut for the club.

The former Chelsea star has now been able to play back-to-back games for Panathinaikos who have fallen behind in their title challenge in recent weeks.

Some sections of the frustrated fans of the Greens however criticized the purchase of the Black Stars midfielder, with his fiercest critics considering him as a spent force who is unable to remain fit.

But Essien insists these criticisms did not get to him as he focused on regaining his full fitness.

“If injuries happen, there is nothing you can do,” he said.

“I think they knew that but they just wanted to criticize but it is one of those things and I don’t really care about that.

“All I did was to continue with my treatment and get myself back playing.

“I am a player who really enjoys playing and the rest I don’t care."

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