Alex & Essien Minus Injuries

I always think it's a massive shame the injuries these two succumbed to, as I always think just how good they could have been regarded without them.

Essien is a duly noted example, and at least even with his injury problems he was still allowed a good oppurtunity to showcase his talent. Even now he's just 30, and without injury problems he would pretty easily still be starting for IMO. The type of dominant box to box midfielder I think we have lacked at times since Lampard has started slowing down. When Essien was at his best, he was a world class midfielder. He's still seen as that, but I do wish he could have made more of an impact at Chelsea. I think he'd have been seen as nearing the Lampard's, Terry's and Drogba's without those 3 knee injuries.

Alex is a less duly noted example, but I think he's one of the most underrated CBs the Premier League has seen in recent times. It didn't help that Mourinho for some reason didn't rate him (we first signed Alex in 2004). There were work permit issues at first, but then in 2006 when he could have come back, Mourinho decided to sign Boulharouz instead . In any case, he eventually came back under the season Mourinho left. The next season under Hiddink he really started making an impact. In his seasons under Carlo, when he eventually ousted Carvalho I thuoght he was just as important as Terry, just a very good defender, strong, good in the air, never made a mistake and despite his size, found he was deceptively quick.
And his free kicks He actually had a good technique from them, it was never just a hit and blast, all his free kicks curve the same way. He rarely stood up for them and still scored 4-5.

But he never really completed more than a season as a starter for Chelsea due to mainly injury problems. Another injury around when AVB came and he didn't look the same Like Essien, he's just 30 and if not for injury problems I could easily envisage him still being very important for this team. I again think that, under different circumstances, he could have made his own legacy at Chelsea, he was that good when fit.

Both likable guys as well Always wonder how things would have panned out for both minus injuries - particularly Alex as I think despite Essien's knees he definitely did his talents enough justice.