Hamburg - US boss Bruce Arena has labelled Ghana's Chelsea star Michael Essien "one of the best players of the tournament".

"He is as strong going forward as he is in defence, he breaks down attacks and he creates chances," said Arena ahead of the US's final Group E game against Ghana in Nuremberg on Thursday.

Essien is the most expensive African player in history and he will lead Ghana to the last 16 if they can beat the US. The US can still have a chance to qualify, but they must beat Ghana and hope Italy beat the Czechs.

"If we don't pay attention they will hurt us," said the US's Landon Donovan of the Black Stars of Africa who pulled off one of the shocks of the tournament when they beat the Czech Republic on Saturday.