FIFA 23 – New ‘Icon’ Player Card for Chelsea Legend, Michael Essien
Essien was a Ghanaian pressing monster during his prime.
New ‘Icon’ player cards have just been added into FIFA 23, albeit locked behind tough Squad-Building Challenges (SBCs).
After former Juventus striker, David Trezeguet, receives his latest ‘Mid Icon’ player card, ex-Chelsea defensive midfielder, Michael Essien, has also been given his own ‘Base Icon’ card for Ultimate Team (UT) players to redeem today.
Essien was an unbeatable midfield general, protecting his teammates effectively by intercepting through balls or brushing off tricksters using his physique.
The now 39-year old veteran currently manages Danish club FC Nordsjælland, but he represented many top European teams besides Chelsea during his playing career, including AC Milan and Real Madrid.
Essien spent the majority of his career with The Blues, though, winning the English Premier League twice, and the FA Cup four times.
Today, N’Golo Kanté is Chelsea’s best player that mimics Essien’s playing style.
To honour Essien’s contributions during his 9-year stay at Stamford Bridge between 2005 and 2014, a new ‘Base Icon’ player card has been added in FIFA 23, boasting exceptional in-game stats as seen here:
(CDM) Michael Essien’s ‘Base Icon’ Player Card: OVR 85
- Physicality: 87
- Defending: 85
- Pace: 83
- Dribbling: 78
- Passing: 75
- Shooting: 72
As stated previously, Essien is indomitable in the central areas of the pitch, standing his ground to shield his team’s backline from being broken down by opposition playmakers or speed merchants.
His strength is almost unmatched, and he is also quite fast both on and off the ball.
Here’s a complete look at all of his newest in-game attributes as well:
Additional details about Essien’s latest UT card can be found below:
- Alternative Position: CM
- AcceleRATE: Lengthy
- Skills: 3 Stars
- Weak Foot: 3 Stars
- Preferred Foot: Right
- Attacking Work Rate: High
- Defensive Work Rate: High
Essien is amongst the best defensive midfielders from the previous Premier League era, and his ‘Base Icon’ player card can now be bought from the Transfer Market at around the following prices (current average):
- PlayStation/ Xbox: 485,000 Coins
- PC: 585,000 Coins
If you’re on the fence about unlocking Essien’s brand new card for UT, here’s YouTuber, Morsey, vouching for Essien in FIFA 23:
Michael Essien ‘Base Icon’ Squad-Building Challenge
Michael Essien is seen as a club legend for Chelsea fans around the world, and because of this, his ‘Base Icon’ player card is locked behind a pretty strict Squad-Building Challenge (SBC):
BORN LEGEND
- Number of Rare player cards: 11
- Player cards’ level: Bronze
- Number of players in the squad: 11
(Reward: Two Rare Gold Players Pack)
RISING STAR
- Number of Rare player cards: 11
- Player cards’ level: Silver
- Number of players in the squad: 11
(Reward: Two Rare Gold Players Pack)
THE BLUES
- Number of players from Chelsea: Minimum 1
- Overall squad rating: Minimum 84
- Number of players in the squad: 11
(Reward: Premium Gold Pack)
LEAGUE FINESSE
- Number of players from Ligue 1: Minimum 1
- Overall squad rating: Minimum 85
- Number of players in the squad: 11
(Reward: Premium Gold Players Pack)
LEAGUE LEGEND
- Number of players from English Premier League: Minimum 1
- Number of players with OVR 86 and above: Minimum 2
- Overall squad rating: Minimum 85
- Number of players in the squad: 11
(Reward: Prime Mixed Players Pack)
TOP NOTCH
- Number of In-Form (IF) or FUT Champions players: Minimum 1
- Overall squad rating: Minimum 86
- Number of players in the squad: 11
(Reward: Rare Gold Pack)
87-RATED SQUAD
- Overall squad rating: Minimum 87
- Number of players in the squad: 11
(Reward: Mega Pack)
Essien’s SBC would require a lot of Coins spent for you to accomplish quickly.
If anyone’s looking for good suggestions on the best squad submissions to offer for the SBC, Kingflipper can share some right here:
Essien’s SBC will expire on 17th November (Thursday), so there is still a lot of time to gather the perfect squad submissions in FIFA 23 today.
FIFA 23 is playable on Google Stadia, Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
Source: EA Sports FIFA 23, FUTBIN, YouTube