this is 4-4-2 in midfielder essien is very speed and helper also deco with great enjoyment. if you think this formation is strong , you will try playing "Fifa 09" or "Fifa 08 for the game on any system like ps3,ps2,xbox360 and so on. please try it , i hope you and you will be happy with this formation 4-4-2 and this formation always let you win. please try it . if you have fifa 08 or fifa 09 , try it

please comment me

Speaking in terms of the actual team (rather than trying it on Fifa2009), Essien works best as a steely central midfielder + Joe Cole isn't a forward.
If I was going to use these players, I'd have Essien holding in the centre, Ballack and Lampard in front of Essien, Deco and Joe Cole on the right and left respectively, but running the channels rather than playing too wide.