Michael Essien vs Graeme Souness
Ghana against Scotland. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
Michael Essien
Ghana · 2005–12 · CDM
- Almanac rating
- 90
- Rank in Ghana
- #1 of 33
- Caps
- 59 · 9 goals
- Clubs
- SC Bastia, Olympique Lyonnais, Chelsea
Nine minutes into the semi-final second leg at Stamford Bridge on 6 May 2009, a Barcelona clearance dropped to Essien 25 yards out and he volleyed it in off the underside of the bar. He won the Champions League with Chelsea in 2012, two Premier League titles and four FA Cups there, back-to-back Ligue 1 titles at Lyon, and took Ligue 1 Player of the Year in 2005 and BBC African Footballer of the Year in 2006. Career record: 59 caps and 9 goals for Ghana; club career at SC Bastia, Olympique Lyonnais, Chelsea.
Graeme Souness
Scotland · CDM
- Almanac rating
- 90
- Rank in Scotland
- #3 of 33
- Caps
- 54 · 4 goals
- Clubs
- Middlesbrough, Liverpool, U.C. Sampdoria
- Honours
- Hall of Fame
A midfield general of immense presence and fierce determination, Souness bossed the park for Liverpool, lifting three European Cups and driving them to unrivalled success. Career record: 54 caps and 4 goals for Scotland; club career at Middlesbrough, Liverpool, U.C. Sampdoria; honours include Hall of Fame.
The verdict
The almanac cannot separate them: both are rated 90.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.