Jose Mourinho used the word 'multifunctional' when Michael Essien signed for Chelsea from Lyon in August 2005, and the reported £24.4 million price tag reflected this versatility.

Comfortable in central midfield, over the years he has also played at right-back, in the centre of defence and as a right winger.

After a low-key start to his Chelsea career, which saw a period of adaptation to what referees would accept as legitimate tackles, Essien was voted 2007 Player of the Year by supporters, recognising not just steam-train performances in midfield but also his ability to provide solutions to a multitude of problems elsewhere.

He followed up an outstanding performance in central defence during a clean sheet 2007 FA Cup Final display with his selection at right-back in the Champions League Final a year later, picked ahead of two specialists in the position.

Memorable goals are part of the Essien repertoire. His equaliser against Arsenal in December 2006 was voted that campaign's Chelsea Goal of the Season and was nearly matched by a charge forward and angled drive in Valencia that sent the Blues into the 2007 Champions League semi-final. Then came the 25-yard left-footed volley that almost eliminated Barcelona from Europe in 2009.

That sensational strike came just two months after he had returned from a damaged cruciate ligament sustained on international duty which had kept him sidelined for six months.

Within days he had scored both in Europe and the league, and Michael's short season continued as he put in a trademark dominating performance against Arsenal in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley, and the season would end there on a high with Everton beaten 2-1 in the Final.

Major injury struck again in 2009/10, and again on national service.

New manager Carlo Ancelotti was able to rotate his midfield regularly, meaning Essien was in and out a little in the opening couple of months.

He fired home from distance against Blackburn in late October as we won 5-0, then dominated Bolton twice in four days and finally providing the effective barrier that prevented Man United from scoring at the Bridge.

Michael hit another two, the first time he had done so for Chelsea, against Wolves in November, his first a header and his second another from outside the area that wriggled under the goalkeeper.

He was imperious alongside Mikel against Arsenal at the Emirates, and scored against APOEL in the Champions League before succumbing to a torn hamstring.

The damage kept him out until January, by which time he had joined up with Ghana at the African Cup of Nations, but after playing 45 minutes against Ivory Coast, he broke down in training with a fresh knee problem.

Michael underwent surgery at the end of January, but complications meant he would not return before the end of the campaign, forced to spend the Double-winning celebrations, and the World Cup, on the sidelines.

He returned fully fit for 2010/11 and started excellently, scoring three in two games against West Ham and Zilina, and amply plugging the gap left by the departures of Michael Ballack, Joe Cole and Deco. A needless injury-time red card after heading the only goal of the game against Fulham brought an impressive run to an end, and following his return from suspension the midfielder struggled to dominate games in the same way.
Despite that Essien still clocked up 33 league appearances, taking him past the 200-game mark for the club, but disaster struck once more on the first day of pre-season training under new manager Andre Villas-Boas, when further knee damage was sustained, expected to keep him out for a further six months.

Pre-Chelsea: Michael grew up near Accra, capital of his homeland, and the city that also gave the world Marcel Desailly.

Unlike the former Chelsea captain, Michael remained in Africa into adulthood, beginning his club football at Liberty Professionals.

His profile was raised by a third-placed finish for Ghana in the Under 17 World Cup which led to a trial at Manchester United, but he eventually signed for French side Bastia.

At first he was used to fill a variety of positions across the defence but could not hold down a regular place. Then injury left a vacancy in midfield and Michael never looked back.

Bastia reached the French Cup Final in 2002 and the following summer he made the move to league champions Lyon for 7.8 million euro.

He was voted Player of the Year in France while at the club and shone as Lyon became one the Champions League's most feared teams, but he made no secret of his desire to move to the Premier League.

International Career
Michael arrived at Chelsea a full international, and has taken his international appearances to over 50 during his time at Stamford Bridge.

He represented his country at the 2006 World Cup, their first appearance at the tournament, and was immensely proud to play in the 2008 African Nations as part of the host team, though Ghana eventually finished third.

In late 2008 he sustained his cruciate ligament injury while playing for Ghana, and his most recent long-term knee problem also came on international duty at the 2010 African Nations, where he broke down in training and did not recover in time to take part in Africa's first World Cup in the summer. He spent over a year away from the international stage to ensure a full recovery but with a Chelsea season under his belt, he announced in May 2010 that he was once more available to play for Ghana.

Created by William Moulton Marston and Harry G. Peter in 1941, she is Princess Diana, an Amazon demigod from Themyscira, Paradise Island, and the daughter of Hippolyta, the Queen of the Amazons. Their origins have had several changes over the years, with changes in their history and appearance, but their essence as the greatest heroine has always been the same, coming to the so-called ”world of men” to promote and defend peace and justice. With superhuman powers and abilities, and his mystical bond of truth.

Iron Studios DC Comics, Wonder Woman MiniCo statue is officially licensed. Our hand-painted collectible statues and toys are the best gift for yourself or loved ones. Our action figures fit your desk or shelf.

Grow your collection with this DC Comics Collectible Toy!

Funko's Pop! Pride collection is a celebration of inclusivity and acceptance, supporting the LGBTQ+ community and rejecting intolerance and discrimination. After all, at Funko, FUN is for EVERYONE! Funko have also made a donation to the "It Gets Better" Project, an organisation that uplifts, empowers, and connects LGBTQ+ youth around the globe. The "It Gets Better" Project inspires people to share their stories and remind the next generation of LGBTQ+ youth that hope is out there, and it will get better.

Show your support and pride with these new Rainbow Pride Pop! Vinyl Figures including this adorable Minnie Mouse, who comes with a stunning rainbow-coloured finish.

Be sure to collect all Funko Pride Pop! Vinyls and support the cause.

This die-cast figure from the Turtles franchise cannot be missed in the collection of the real fan!

You couldn't wish for a better gift for collectors.

This die-cast figure from the Turtles franchise cannot be missed in the collection of the real fan!

You couldn't wish for a better gift for collectors.

Demons, look out! Pop! Inosuke Hashibira, unmasked and dressed in his kimono, looks ready for a challenge. He’s channeling his powers to take on even the toughest of demons. Flesh out your Demon Slayer set and expand your Pop! Anime collection with this skilled and talented swordsman.

Vinyl figure is approximately 3.95 inches tall.

Shinji Kagawa sealed his move to United in June 2012, agreeing a four-year contract to become the club’s first-ever Japanese player.

Kagawa is an exciting, attacking midfielder who is most at home playing ‘in the hole’ behind a centre-forward, though he’s also adept in a wide role.

He made his name in two successful seasons with Borussia Dortmund, whom he helped to a first-ever domestic Double in 2011/12.

The German side spotted his potential while playing in his homeland for Cerezo Osaka, for whom he signed professional forms before graduating from high school.

He helped Cerezo gain promotion to the J-League and scored seven goals in 11 appearances in the top flight before moving to the Bundesliga in 2010 for a bargain �350,000.

Kagawa is one the star names in what is rated by many as the best ever Japan team. His full international debut was in a Kirin Cup match against Ivory Coast in 2008 but he missed out on a place in the World Cup squad two years later.

A metatarsal injury at the 2011 Asian Cup, after shining in the tournament, interrupted his progress but he made an impressive return domestically in the 2010/11 season, scoring eight goals in 18 games to earn a place in the Bundesliga Team of the Season, despite being sidelined for a lengthy spell.

And he was a key performer as Dortmund both retained the title and lifted and German Cup in some style the following season. In addition to contributing 13 goals in the league, he scored three times in the German Cup.

Sir Alex Ferguson made a personal check on Kagawa's form in the cup final against Bayern Munich in Berlin, where he netted the opening goal and dazzled in a convincing 5-2 win.

Mata became the third Spaniard to join Chelsea in 2011, following international team-mate and fellow World Cup-winner Fernando Torres and Oriol Romeu, who arrived from Barcelona earlier in August 2011.

Primarily a left-winger, he can also operate down the middle and has outlined his desire to adapt quickly to English football. Yossi Benayoun's anticipated departure, eventually to Arsenal on loan, freed up his favoured number 10 jersey. He certainly looked at home on his debut, appearing as a substitute against Norwich City and slotting home the final goal in a 3-1 win on August 27, 2011.

Pre-Chelsea: Mata is the son of a former professional, Juan, who represented Burgos and Salamanca. Juan Jr began his career in Real Madrid's famed Academy as a striker, but was allowed to move to Valencia in the summer of 2007. In his first season he gradually played his way into the side, and appeared at Stamford Bridge as a substitute in a Champions League dead rubber. At the end of the season he scored in the Copa Del Rey final, and was voted the club's Young Player of the Year.

After four years at the Mestalla, in which he scored 43 times in 179 appearances, Mata spoke with Andre Villas-Boas and was convinced Stamford Bridge was the place for him despite interest from other clubs. International

Juan was a part of the Spain squad that won the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, having made his debut in 2009. He made one appearance as a substitute during the tournament, replacing Fernando Torres. Upon signing for Chelsea he had 12 senior caps, but is also an experienced Under 21 international, and captained Spain to glory at the 2011 European Championships, being voted into the Team of the Tournament.

Fans of surly-looking werewolves who also happen to enjoy bowling will particularly enjoy this Fantastik Plastik Wolfgang Pop! Vinyl Figure.

While might not have Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s knack for music, or Wolfgang Puck’s skill with food, or even Wolfgang Van Halen’s facility for the guitar, but being a Fantastik Plastik icon is still plenty damn cool if you ask me.

I mean seriously, who wouldn't want to go bowling with this guy? Not only would he be your own personal bodyguard, but he'll likely scare the pins into submission with his mighty howl, leaving you to bowl the perfect game.

Add him to your collection today!

Demons lurking in the dark? Gather your Pop! Demon Slayer set to take them on! Pop! Daki, dressed in her white haori and kimono, looks ready to entertain a challenge. Keep her in your collection to keep her out of trouble. Flesh out your Demon Slayer set and expand your Pop! Anime collection.

Vinyl figure is approximately 4.90 inches tall.

David "Junior" Hoilett is a Canadian footballer who plays for Queens Park Rangers as a winger. Hoilett was born in Brampton, Ontario, and part of the Blackburn Rovers academy since the age of 13. He was initially unable to obtain a work permit whilst in England. As a result, Blackburn loaned him to German clubs SC Paderborn 07 and St Pauli to help the player earn one in the future.

Hoilett made 12 appearances for Paderborn scoring one goal against Borussia Monchengladbach on his final appearance at the age of 17 in the 2007-2008 season. The following season he made 21 appearances for St Pauli scoring six goals although still a Blackburn player.

In the summer of 2009, Hoilett was granted a work permit after Blackburn applied for him to play football in England. Hoilett broke into the Blackburn first team in the 2009-2010 season and scored his first competitive goal for Rovers came in a 3-1 League Cup win at Gillingham in August 2009. Hoilett had to wait until January 2011 to score his first league goal though. It came in a 2-0 home victory versus West Bromwich Albion at Ewood Park from a Nikola Kalinic assist. He went on to make 92 appearances for the club and score 14 goals.

After refusing a contract renewal with Blackburn Rovers after their relegation, Hoilett joined Queens Park Rangers on 27 July 2012 for a fee decided by tribunal. He signed a four-year contract and scored his first goal for QPR in a 3-2 League Cup loss to Reading on 26 September 2012.
Canada

Hoilett is eligible to play for Canada or Jamaica at international level. In February 2011, he rejected a call-up from the Canadian national team stating that he wanted more time to develop his club career before committing to international football. In January 2012, the Jamaica Football Federation President Horace Burrell confirmed that he had approached the player's father about Hoilett representing Jamaica. In March 2012, Hoilett told various media bodies that he would consider playing for the England national football team if eligible.