African Footballer of the Year shortlisted, Ghanaian international Michael Essien has been rated as the best player in Chelsea by subscribers to a star player performer rating poll by Sky Sports.

Essien joined a list that had the approval of the observers which has Frenchman Thiery Henry, Japanese Hidetoshi Nakata,Ghana-born George Boateng and DR Congo's Tresor Lomana Lua-Lua as the best players respectively in Arsenal,Bolton, Middlesbrough and Portsmouth.

Essien is yet to score at Stamford Bridge but unarguably,he has been making everlasting show of supremacy on the the pitch in the Chelsea jersey, winning huge applauds for his sterling displays in the premiership and UEFA Champions League, especially against La Liga side Real Betis.

The Ghanaian scored 7.3 out! of ten to gain the star player rating which had Lomana scoring the highest rating mark of 7.8.Wayne Rooney with his sterling display in midfield and four goals in domestic competition had 7.1 to lead at Manchester United whilst Englishman Ledley King, Andy Cole and Joey Barton, Emre Belozoglu,Steven Gerrard and Danhny Murphy took the best shirts at Tottenham, Manchester City,New Castle and Charlton Athletics respectively.

Essien is currently awaiting the final shortlist of three on November by CAF and then possibly the announcement on January 9 in Abuja of the best player in Africa.