I hope Caleb Yirenkyi becomes a top player in the future – Michael Essien.
Former Ghana international Michael Essien has thrown his support behind FC Nordsjælland midfielder Caleb Yirenkyi, expressing confidence that the young defender has the potential to reach the highest level of the game.
The 20-year-old has enjoyed a breakthrough season in Denmark, establishing himself as a key figure with 24 starts, alongside two goals and five assists in the Danish topflight.
Speaking in an interview with FIFA, Essien—who is currently part of the coaching setup at FC Nordsjælland—praised Yirenkyi’s maturity, discipline and steady rise, while also drawing subtle parallels with his own early playing days.
“I can only say good things about him,” he said. “He’s such a hard-working guy. He’s very calm, very respectful, very quiet. He does his talking on the pitch, and it’s good to see him doing very well for the team,” he said.
The former Chelsea midfielder added that Yirenkyi’s attitude has stood out just as much as his technical ability.
“He’s got his own style of play, but sometimes I see some glimpses that remind him of me when I was little. He always comes to me and asks questions, and I try to give him the best advice, and he takes it on board.
“Hopefully, he can be a huge player in the future,” Essien added.
Yirenkyi, who has already earned ten senior international caps with the Ghana national football team, has primarily been deployed at right-back despite his midfield background.
He featured in Ghana’s March international friendlies against Austria and Germany, both of which ended in defeat.
The young player is now aiming to secure a place in Ghana’s squad for the upcoming summer tournament, where they are drawn in Group L alongside Panama, England, and Croatia.
