Gideon Baah get Michael Essien's nod
Earning the respect of Michael Essien (which may well be a fellow Ghanaian, but is also a player of international level and member of one of the top 10 European teams), that's no easy feat. Earning the respect of the entire Chelsea youth team after only one week of trial, that's something even more special. But getting the aforementioned Essien to recommend you to the Chelsea board for a quick contract, before the other clubs snatch you now we're talking wonderkid material! The fairy tale of Gideon Baah, now at his 2nd week of Trial at the Chelsea FC Youth Academy, seems to have no end.
Essien said, "Everybody is happy with how Baah played in the first week with the Academy.
"I have monitored his performance and think he is capable of fitting into the Academy and progress accordingly.
"I am confident if he is given a contract he'll develop into a world class player for Chelsea and can also develop to help my country."
Last month, Baah was the winner of a football reality show (Metro MTN Sports Academy) in Ghana, whose main prize (on top of cash money $5000), a Hyundai Accent car, and a all-expense-paid trip to watch the 2010 FIFA World Cup) was the chance of a 2-week trial at Stamford Bridge. The 16-year old youngster managed to beat off competition from 32,000 other applicants to win the reality show in Accra, thus earning his ticket to London. So far Baah's experience with the Blues has gone so well, that Chelsea's star midfielder Michael Essien has recommended the board to offer the lad get a real contract.