Is this midfielder nearing the exit door at Stamford Bridge?
It is not the first time the 28-year-old has been linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge this summer as a part-exchange deal for Wesley Sneijder had previously been rumoured and may do again after Sneijder hinted he may be willing to leave the San Siro after saying ‘only god will decide where my future lies’ recently. Essien has also been reported as a target for AC Milan.
The player has been quick to deny he’s going anywhere when asked recently, but are the Ghanaians days numbered at Stamford Bridge?
There’s no denying that Essien has just come off the back of a poor season for Chelsea and many are worried if he will get over his injury problems as he has not looked the same since the operation on his knee back in 2010, which is a worry.
I’m a big fan of Essien and would say that when he was fit, he was the best box-to-box midfielder in the world and could be again. However, hoping that he can get back to his best could be more of a risk than selling him whilst his stock is still high and using the money to go towards the sort of player we’re in need of, like a Luka Modric or even a Sneijder.
The other problem we may face next season if we were to keep him is where to play him. In my opinion, I think Essien is perhaps a little wasted in the defensive midfield position and although better defensively, he doesn’t have as good a passing range of a Jon Obi Mikel or Josh McEachran, who can both knock the ball around comfortably in the deep midfield areas.
Essien doesn’t score or create enough to play in a more attacking role, like Frank Lampard, who has his injury problems himself, but will get you goals and assists from midfield. The other player standing between Essien and a place in the starting XI is Ramires, who has improved since joining the club, has a great engine and will be able to run box-to-box all day.
Also, Chelsea may want to add more of a creative influence to their midfield this summer and many hope that McEachran will have more of a role to play next season as he continues his development, so inevitably someone would have to make way for this to happen, could it be Essien?
I would love for Essien to prove me wrong as there was a time when he was rated as one of the best players on Chelsea’s books, but he has had his injury problems and the club are looking to rebuild this summer so things will change, but as fans we will have to just wait and see what unfolds.