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Ghana and Chelsea�s Michael Essien has been nominated for the BBC footballer of the year, 2009. He is in contention with Chelsea team mate Didier Drogba and three other competitors-Samuel Eto'o, Inter Milan, Tresor Mputu Mabi, TP Mazembe and Yaya Toure of Bacelona. Announcing the nominations, BBC Fast Track presenter Farayi Mungazi said: "This award is all about performance over the last twelve months so only two of last year's contenders have made it onto the list, with no place for Adebayor or Aboutrika. "Once again it's great to see a player based in Africa on the shortlist with TP Mazembe's Tresor Mputu Mabi in with a chance". Winner of the annual competition will be adjudged through public voting which has been declared opened and will be running up until the 4th of January, 2010. Winner of this year�s competition will be announced four days later. Essien picked up the award in 2006, and will relish yet another victory, but faces stiff opposition from Drogba who has had a remarkable season the year under review. Essien is the second Ghanaian to have picked up the award, after Samuel Osei Kufuor who was declared winner in 2001." MICHAEL ESSIEN:- Michael Essien is one of the best performers in world football and his contribution to both club and country in 2009 will go down as one of his best. Even though he started the year on the injury list, he returned to inspire his stumbling Chelsea side to win some silverware and to aid Ghana's qualification for the 2010 World Cup. Michael Essien His importance to Chelsea was underlined as the Blues struggled in his absence even though they had key players like Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard and Nicholas Anelka. Chelsea were unable to keep pace with the Premier League's leaders Liverpool and Manchester United without Essien, which resulted in the sacking of Brazilian manager Luis Felipe Scolari in February. Essien's return to fitness in April amply demonstrated his importance as Chelsea turned the corner in dramatic fashion to reignite their bids for silverware at the end of last season. They eventually won the FA Cup, finishing an impressive third in the league and were eliminated in the semi-finals of the Champions League under controversial circumstances as the season came to an end in May. This season he has already helped Chelsea to beat Manchester United to win the season-opening Charity Shield title and has so far scored six goals for the Blues. Essien returned to Ghana in September to score for the Black Stars as they beat Sudan 2-0 to become the first African country to qualify for the 2010 World Cup. His value to a team can hardly be overstated. Essien's versatility has come in handy for Ghana and Chelsea. His ability to play in both central and wide midfield roles as well as an emergency centre-back and right back makes him unique.