Essien receives a hero's welcome on his return to his hometown in Ghana

“My mum said I had to go to school first,” said Essien, recalling his youth in his quiet, unassuming way.

“People used to say that it was only street boys who played football. It meant you were no good at school - and that was important to me.”

But as Essien’s Chelsea prepare to face Arsenal on Monday, the “street boy” is hoping to show why he is such a vital member of a Chelsea team fighting to regain their form after a troubled few weeks.

“I am really looking forward to it,” he said of the forthcoming duel against Arsène Wenger’s men. “It should be a great game. They are a great team, and difficult to play against. It’s always difficult to go there. But we will do our best and take the fight to them.”

Certainly, manager Carlo Ancelotti will be hoping that Essien’s fighting spirit will reinvigorate his ailing side.