You shouldn't be if you have watched him play recently.
Essien never recovered from his injuries, he is a shadow of the player he used to be.
He doesnt have the tenacity to play in the DM role, it is like he is watching the game go past him. He doesnt have the legs to get forward.
There was a stage where I considered him one of the best midfielders on the planet, he was unstoppable going forward, and would break the opponent in two if they tried to get past.
He just doesnt perform any more hopefully madrid will buy him.