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0 Former Ghana midfielder Michael Essien has criticised comments suggesting that players born abroad struggle to perform for the Black Stars because they do not “fit in” or understand Ghanaian culture.
Essien, who played a vital role in Ghana’s football history, described such claims as baseless.
Spain-born striker Iñaki Williams has been a focal point of this criticism. Despite excelling for Athletic Bilbao, Williams has struggled to replicate his club form on the international stage, scoring just one goal since making his debut for Ghana in 2022.
Similarly, London-born forward Antoine Semenyo has faced similar scrutiny for failing to meet expectations.
Speaking on Sporty FM, Essien dismissed the notion that these struggles are due to cultural differences. “Sometimes we are funny. When we see these Ghanaians born in Europe, we invite them, and then when things are not going well, we say, ‘Oh, they don’t fit in; they don’t know our culture.’ For me, that’s a bit b**t,” Essien said candidly.
The criticism surrounding Williams, Semenyo, and others appears to deter some dual-nationality players from committing to Ghana, but the national team continues to attract top talent with ties to the country.
Essien, one of the nation’s most decorated players, rose through Ghana’s youth ranks to become a key figure in the Black Stars’ historic qualification for their first World Cup in 2006.
His illustrious career includes Premier League titles and a Champions League triumph with Chelsea. While his comments may spark debate, many are likely to support his stance, given his contributions to Ghanaian football.
The post Michael Essien dismisses claims about cultural issues with Black Stars players born abroad first appeared on 3News.
