Starting as a Defensive Midfielder at Real Madrid

With this overwhelming win, Real Madrid didn’t just crush Sevilla—they also sent shockwaves through the mid-table teams in La Liga.

Currently, Málaga and Sevilla sit eighth and seventh in the league respectively. But in their recent clashes with Madrid, eighth-place Málaga lost 0–3 at the Bernabéu, while Sevilla got absolutely annihilated 2–7 on their own turf.

And anyone watching closely could see that Madrid eased up after scoring their third in both matches.

Málaga didn’t push back, so they left with a relatively ”respectable” scoreline. Sevilla, however, did try to respond—and Madrid didn’t hold back.

They unloaded. Ronaldo bagged four goals, and Sevilla’s morale was left in ruins.

Losing big isn’t the end of the world—it’s still just three points. But the real question was: could Sevilla mentally recover from such a thrashing?

That’s what had the rest of mid-table La Liga nervous.

Losing to Madrid wasn’t shameful. But if that loss shattered team morale and derailed the rest of your season? That was a disaster.

Mourinho, of course, was unaware that by letting his team go full-throttle for one league game, he’d caused panic in half the league.

After the Sevilla match, his focus shifted to something else—something that, for the moment, even outweighed the second leg of the Copa del Rey tie with Málaga.

On the afternoon of January 10, after receiving confirmation that a deal had been finalized, Mourinho burst into laughter in his office.

Staff nearby heard it, but no one knew what had gotten him so excited.

On the evening of January 11, Madrid fielded a rotation squad against Málaga at La Rosaleda for the second leg of the Copa tie.

Mourinho sat on the bench smiling the entire match.

Even though Madrid lost 1–2, ending their perfect record across all competitions this season, he didn’t seem remotely upset.

The younger players, though, looked disappointed.

But the fans and pro-Madrid media were quick to offer their support.

After all, with a 4–2 aggregate win, Madrid had secured a spot in the quarterfinals.

They had already given fans more than enough joy with their undefeated run across three competitions—no team could stay perfect forever.

Madrid fans were content. Even if they slipped up in the league occasionally, they would understand.

Of course, the Champions League was another matter—there, losses should still be avoided if possible.

To win the Champions League, you had to maintain elite form all the way through.

After all, everyone knew: winning it all at the end was the surest path to glory.

And while Madridistas dreamed of the first-leg knockout clash with CSKA Moscow in the Champions League, a surprising report emerged from Russia.

Their player had been stolen!

”Lassana Diarra has agreed to personal terms with Anzhi Makhachkala and is set to sign! Talks between Madrid and Anzhi began at the opening of the winter window, and the transfer fee is rumored to exceed €15 million.”

As more credible European outlets picked up the story, Madrid fans were left confused.

Lass had been solid in the rotation squad. Sure, he had his ”brain-fart” moments, but overall he was valuable depth.

Had Mourinho been swayed by Khedira’s recent training form and let Lass go too easily?

The speculation ran wild—until Mourinho pulled the real surprise.

On the morning of January 13, just a day after the Lass-to-Anzhi news broke, Real Madrid officially announced the loan signing of Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien!

Chelsea fans were stunned.

”Wait, wasn’t Essien still recovering? Since when is he ’recovered’ in Madrid?”

”Loan? Villas-Boas isn’t even giving him a chance? Has he figured out his transfer targets already?”

”We barely have midfielders left! Mikel’s injured, and now we’re down to Ramires and Meireles?!”

”Stop playing Lampard as a holding mid—that’s a waste of his talents!”

The Chelsea fanbase vented their frustration all over Twitter.

Meanwhile, Essien passed his Madrid medical, and Villas-Boas had no intention of looking back.

AVB had no emotional attachment to a 29-year-old midfielder who had just missed half a season with injury.

Especially when Mourinho himself had personally called to ask for Essien—and Abramovich had approved. So Villas-Boas let him go without hesitation.

Ahead of Madrid’s Matchday 19 fixture against Mallorca, Mourinho’s tactical move—a sale and a like-for-like loan—instantly became the hottest news in Spanish football.

Not because the deal was some brilliant bargain.

On paper, it was a 29-year-old injury-returnee replacing a 26-year-old in his prime.

If you ignored the names, the media might’ve roasted the club.

But the name was Michael Essien.

In his prime, Essien had been a top-three box-to-box midfielder in world football—perhaps even top two.

Nicknamed ”The Bison,” he was a one-man wrecking crew. Outside of lacking elite positional awareness, he was practically flawless as a defensive midfielder.

In terms of stature, Essien eclipsed Lass by miles.

His arrival thrilled the Madrid fanbase. The injury? No worries—he passed the medical, didn’t he?

And with Mourinho managing his recovery, they weren’t concerned.

After all, Mourinho had coached Essien at his peak and knew exactly how to get the best out of him.

Even if Essien wasn’t quite what he used to be, 70–80% of prime Essien was still better than Lass.

On January 14, Marca released an exclusive interview with Essien, capitalizing on the hype.

”Of course I’m excited to work with Mourinho again,” he said. ”Every Chelsea player back then knew how heartbroken I was when he left.”

”He’s my mentor—more like my ’father’ really. Not just in football, but in life as well. Even in the seasons we were apart, we stayed in touch regularly. We didn’t just talk about football. He always cared, always knew what was going on in my life.

When ’Dad’ called me a few days ago, the moment he opened his mouth, I nearly cried! He hadn’t forgotten me. And when he said he needed me, I didn’t even hesitate—I said yes right away!

Real Madrid is building something great this season. You can feel their ambition. I truly believe Mourinho will lead Madrid back to glory. To be a part of this journey... I’m honored, and thrilled.”

Essien’s words were simple, his emotions sincere. It was as if he were saying, ”My dad called, and I came running.”

He finished by praising Madrid’s lofty goals for the season and vowed to do everything he could to help them win as many trophies as possible.

With a player like that, how could fans not fall in love?

But it wasn’t the Madrid fans who first showed Essien what that love felt like.

It was one of his new teammates.

On the afternoon of January 14, just before his first training session with the squad, Essien was chatting warmly with Mourinho when he was suddenly ambushed—by a particularly enthusiastic figure.

”I can’t believe this! My idol! You’re really at Real Madrid—I’m so happy! Train with me today, okay?!”

Essien blinked, trying to see who it was. But before he could react, Mourinho cut in and kicked the intruder on the backside.

”Everyone’s your idol. You’ve got too damn many! Get changed, now.”

”Yes, boss! Idol, wait for me—I’ll be right out!”

Leon sprinted into the locker room with his gear slung over his shoulder. Essien couldn’t help but smile.

”So... he’s not quite like he is in the media, is he? Bit... energetic.”

”Ha, during training and matches, he’s pretty composed. You’ll get used to it. The kid learns fast. Later, help him out with those late runs. He picked up a bit from Italy, but Khedira’s way doesn’t really suit him. Your style’s more compatible.”

”No problem, boss.”

Essien readily agreed. And once training began, he quickly saw what Mourinho meant by ”a different person.”

Leon transformed during drills—calm, precise, unusually mature for his age. His communication and playing style were both advanced. In fact, Essien found him too composed at times.

But during breaks, Leon turned back into the energetic fanboy, chatting and goofing around.

Since Leon spoke decent English, communication wasn’t an issue. Essien naturally bonded with him first, and thanks to Leon’s warm welcome, he quickly settled into the squad.

With English speakers like Leon and Alonso in midfield, Ronaldo and Kaká up front, and Benzema speaking French, Essien didn’t need to worry about fitting in linguistically.

Still, since he’d just started training, Mourinho didn’t rush him into match action. There was no need.

On January 15, Real Madrid faced Mallorca away.

Essien wasn’t included in the matchday squad. He watched from a private box at Iberostar Stadium alongside Coentrão, who had just returned from injury.

The broadcast cameras frequently zoomed in on the two. Commentators across Europe speculated when Essien might make his debut.

January 18: Copa del Rey quarterfinal first leg at home vs. Athletic Bilbao.

January 22: La Liga makeup match—also against Bilbao.

Two big clashes with a tough opponent. Surely Mourinho would rotate at least once. Essien had a great shot at his first minutes.

Meanwhile, Madrid stunned Mallorca right from the whistle.

In just the second minute, Ronaldo latched onto Leon’s through ball and launched a 27-meter rocket! Keeper Aouate parried it, but Higuaín pounced before Caceres could react—1-0!

With the early lead, Madrid executed their game plan perfectly—baiting Mallorca into pushing up, then hitting on the break.

Mallorca knew what was happening, but had no choice—they had to play by Madrid’s tempo.

Ronaldo scored twice more (31st and 52nd minute), wrapping up a 3-0 win with ruthless efficiency.

Essien and Coentrão cheered and clapped the entire match, clearly enjoying the show.

The next day, Madrid named their Copa del Rey squad—and Essien was in it.

At first, fans and pundits thought he’d just warm the bench. It was risky, wasn’t it? The man had just come off a long-term injury. Even if he said he was ready, would Mourinho really start him?

Yes. Yes, he would.

On the night of January 18, when the starting eleven was announced, fans and journalists at the Bernabéu were stunned.

Mourinho had actually put Essien in the starting lineup!

There they were: Alonso, Leon, Essien, and Khedira. Four midfield warriors lined up side by side.

It was surreal. If you swapped their Madrid kits for Chelsea ones, it would’ve looked perfectly natural.

Chelsea fans who saw Mourinho and Essien back together? Emotional. Pure nostalgia.

And every neutral fan craving a tough, hard-nosed defensive mid? Drooling at Madrid’s lineup.

Even if you left Khedira out, just Alonso, Leon, and Essien together was a terrifying trio.

Just reading the names screamed ”iron-blooded.”

Madridistas couldn’t wait. Even before kickoff, they were roaring in excitement.

That midfield just looked solid.

Chelsea? You’ll have to wait your turn.

From now on, the iron-blooded tradition lives at Real Madrid.

Our midfield? Hardest in all of Europe.

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