<<Print>>

John Barnes says Michael Essien must consider a switch in his style of play to avoid the recurring injuries affecting his career. The Chelsea powerhouse�s career has been blighted by three serious knee injuries in as many years with the latest one ruling him out for six months. Former Liverpool star is in Essien�s home country of Ghana on a charity tour to help raise funds for struggling former players in the West African country. Essien has been one of Chelsea�s top players since moving from French side Lyon. Barnes, who lighted up the English top-flight with his skill many years ago, says a change in style by the Ghanaian midfielder will help him stay fit. �Michael by far is Chelsea�s best player and I have no doubt that he will recover and be back to his best. However, he would want to consider changing his style of play to avoid injuries,� Barnes said in Accra. �He used to be a holding midfielder at Lyon but that style changed once he arrived at Chelsea. Now he is always running from pole to pole. �Though he has enough energy for that game, the injuries are becoming too many and it will be helpful to slow down a little, either he reverts to his former role or change his style of play.� �There is no better player today to replicate Claude Makalele than Essien. �Michael can continue to play like that if that is his dream but once the injuries keep recurring, a change of play in style could be just what he needs.� The injury, the third in the midfielder�s career will see him endure a lengthy lay-off. The 28-year-old is unlikely to play at the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations to be played in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.