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Mourinho names Essien, snubs Drogba in list of great players coached

The former Chelsea boss selected Michael Essien as one of the greatest players he has ever coached as a manager.

Jose Mourinho named 16 players including former Ghana international, Michael Essien without a single striker in the list of great players he has ever coached.

Michael Essien was signed by the Portuguese trainer in 2005 at a £24.4 club and African record fee from Olympique Lyon.

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He became a key part of Jose Mourinho's Chelsea team that defended the league title in 2005-06 and was used at different positions to strengthen his team in times of challenges.

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And even handed Essien the opportunity to join him at Real Madrid on loan from Chelsea.

Fifa asked Mourinho to pick the best eleven players he had coached throughout his career and instead he managed to choose 16.

READ MORE: Premier League

"It’s an answer that I’ve always refused to give and will continue to," Mourinho explained. "So many players gave their blood and soul when they played for me, how can I name some and forget others?"

"Vitor Baia, Petr Cech, Julio Cesar... how can I choose just one?," Mourinho implored. "Jorge Costa, Ricardo Carvalho, Marco Materazzi, Lucio, Walter Samuel, John Terry… how can I choose one?"

He continued to reel them off: "Michael Essien, Wesley Sneijder, Nemanja Matic, Costinha, Maniche, Xabi Alonso, Frank Lampard..."

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