Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho is set to sell French midfielder Lassana Diarra and wants to replace him with Chelsea’s Michael Essien to ‘beef up’ his midfield, according to reports in the Daily Express today.
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.
Much sense made but I keep saying we need to keep him. Bad season yes but so did everyone. This is it for me; he’s quality, we all know and we as a club should show the same faith in him that he’s shown in us. Never complains about money, selection, position, training or other. Always speaks very highly of the club and life he loves with us, plays with a smile. We need guys like him; possibly Mr Chelsea behind only Terry and Lamps. Cuppa time!
Thanks, and that makes sense too. As I said, I’d much rather he would prove me wrong than me being right. Here’s hoping.
chelsea should nt allow essein to go to anywere but we should buy either modric or sneijder
I disagree totaly with that story, there no quality midfielder than essien in chelsea so if u are selling him do that n stop making it look as if he is lost form.
I’m not making it look as if he has lost form, he was off form.
Didn’t say he couldn’t get it back, but let’s be realistic and take things into account seriously.
this z not the right tym of selling him, i think we should keep him for another two years, may be next season if its pcble to let him to play as attacking midfielder he can prove his quality.
Why is it that the English press like framing rumour of exit on African players in Chelsea. Today is either Drogba, Solomon Kalou & Mikel leaving, now is Essien.If I may like to ask, are these players the worst performed players in Chelsea this season, what about Frank Lampard who has being a shadow of himself, no English press speaks about him leaving Chelsea, you people are all Racist I dislike the English press with all passion.
I agree with you. Frank Lampard isn’t the same and out of the two, I know who I’d rather keep.
However, the reason why players like Essien, Kalou, Mikel and Drogba are linked with exits is because of their resale value and there stock is still quite high.
Whereas, with his high wages and the media saying he is a spent force, who would pay for Lampard?
d only reason y essien should leave is if lampard is shown d exit door 1st based on performance,lampard is d worst dan any midfielder chelsea have currently,he prefers runnin 2 score dan creatin scorin chances,imagine drogba fieldin lamp in mst of our game,sel lampard n lets buy creative players lik modric,wesley,sanchez…….lets kip essien 4 1 more season bt we nid a manager whos gonna use players based on performance n nt name.blues 4 life
Henry get a grip, zhirkov and ferreira are supposedly leaving chelsea too so are we racist against russians and portugese too?? You boys love to play the race card, and its pathetic IMO
IS TIME FOR ESSIEN TO LEAVE AND I HOPE AND PRAY THAT ESSIEN COME TO MY TEAM TOTTENHAM HOTSPURS BECAUSE CHELSEA DONT APPRECIATE WHAT THE GUY IS DOING FOR THE CLUB, SNUBBING HIS COUNTRY FOR THE CLUB HUH COME TO SPURS WE LOVE YOU BISON
I think he’d want to play Champions League.
Our BISONS muuuuuuuuust stay . He obviously is one of the best midfielders in the world ~~ Keep blue flag flying high (L)
heard u guys n i learn…my own stand is dat chelsea shud luk 4 a manager who can revive ds players…pls a skiful creative attackin midfielder is needed n den pls a gud bakup 4 cech cos tbl is a disaster who lack self confidence