Michael Essien

[Sir Mikel OBE 4,920]

Hope he is ok. He didnt have the best of relationships with his dad, and the Ghanian press use to attack him about it.

[kobematabryant 400]

Sad news to hear his father pass away. My prayer goes out to him and his family.

[Kojo 4,676]

R.I.P

Harsh on such a great guy!

[Ramox 246]

Left out from the CL squad.
http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2014/clubs/club=52914/squad/index.html

[Jusek 2,031]

Left out from the CL squad.

http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2014/clubs/club=52914/squad/index.html

What the hell? Why?

[TorontoChelsea 4,064]

What the hell? Why?

You have only 17 roster spots for international players with U21 players not counting in the Champions League. Essien was the obvious choice to not make the cut TBH. He's probably fifth choice at CM right now.

[Jusek 2,031]

You have only 17 roster spots for international players with U21 players not counting in the Champions League. Essien was the obvious choice to not make the cut TBH. He's probably fifth choice at CM right now.

Okay, I see. I think he had a good preseason.

[TorontoChelsea 4,064]

Okay, I see. I think he had a good preseason.

Yeah, but preseason is meaningless. Lampard and Ramires is our starting pair, Mikel is our only natural DM, and Van Ginkel is a player we want to develop so will need game time. Mourinho likes Essien so will probably work him in to the league games, but I don't see a place for him on the team really.

[Despiadado.Maleante 1,046]

Are these squads only for the group stages?

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Are these squads only for the group stages?

Yup, but you can only make two changes after that IIRC.

[RoyalBlues 4,050]

The only player that I think could accept and understand this kind of decision from Jose really well without hard feelings.

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Essien will probably play 15-20 games for us this season in cup games and when we're short at CDM/RB in the league... no more than that. It's quite clear that the pecking order for the deep-lying midfield pair is 1. Lampard, 2. Ramires, 3. Mikel, 4. van Ginkel, 5. Essien.

[nadavTKL 1,787]

Im quite annoyed by the way things turend out with Ess... although i dont know the all story and havent seen him practice like Jose did. In pre-season, Essien was the only CM who looked comfortable finding the right pass forword, which is by far our biggest problem imo. It also left a bad taste when Jose left him out of the CL squad, you know after he went to Madrid for him and then came back with him. But im sure things are fine between them, its just sad to see him coming back to the team with this non-existing role as the 5th CM. When Jose havent got a CM i hoped he can get the spot near Ramires, at least until KDB or Oscar will move there, thats what i thought then.. oh the double pivot shit will kill me at the end.

[Term-X 7,891]

You'd think it would be an awkward situation, especially after their bonding moment when he scored in Madrid's final game of the season, not to mention the fact he refers to him as daddy.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Madrid had a thin squad and he could cover at several positions. Here we have a player to cover for every position and Essien is unfortunately not better than any of the cover players, atm.

[Sidzeret 2,257]

Swindon, atleast.

Reckon Schwarzer is gonna get more gametime than him

[mac.bo 48]

Its his last year on his contract isnt it ?, unless he gets a run in team and proves he has something to give to the team that enhances the team looks like its bye bison thanks for the memories(sadly injuries have ruined you)

[Kieran. 6,317]

With van Ginkel done for the season paired with Ess's solid showing the other night, you'd think he'll get a few more chances now.