London: Former Black Stars midfielder Michael Essien has weighed in on the growing battle for dual-nationality players, stressing the importance of identifying and nurturing young talents early if Ghana wants more diaspora stars to represent the Black Stars. Speaking at the Ghana High Commission in the United Kingdom as part of efforts to strengthen the future of Ghana football through talent identification and development, the former Chelsea midfielder said building strong relationships with young players is key.
According to Ghana Web, Essien emphasized the significance of establishing a connection with young talents, stating, "Representing your country is a huge honour. We just have to get them young if we can and look after them so they can represent their roots." His comments come at a time when discussions around nationality switches and African-born or African-rooted players representing European countries continue to dominate football conversations.
In recent years, Ghana has missed out on several highly rated players born abroad who were eligible to play for the Black Stars but eventually chose European national teams instead. Essien believes the solution lies not in pressure or criticism, but in creating a strong environment where young players feel connected to their heritage from an early age.
The ex-midfielder, who enjoyed an illustrious international career with Ghana, remains heavily involved in football development and mentorship projects after retirement. His ongoing commitment to nurturing young talent underscores the need for strategic efforts in expanding Ghana's pool of football talent through early engagement and development.