Michael Essien

[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.

[Drogzola 283]

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.

Will we be able to add him to the Champions League squad now?

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Will we be able to add him to the Champions League squad now?

I don't think so. I think we'll have to wait till after the group stages to update the squads.

Anyway, I thought Essien was very bad in the first half but he got a lot better in the second half. Need to see him in a few more games to really judge, but it looks like he will play a role in our season with MVG out.

[Drogzola 283]

I don't think so. I think we'll have to wait till after the group stages to update the squads.

Anyway, I thought Essien was very bad in the first half but he got a lot better in the second half. Need to see him in a few more games to really judge, but it looks like he will play a role in our season with MVG out.

Thanks for the info. Have we used Ramires and Essien in the pivot this season yet? That could be a decent pivot if Essien sits a bit deeper and allows Ramires to do the running.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Thanks for the info. Have we used Ramires and Essien in the pivot this season yet? That could be a decent pivot if Essien sits a bit deeper and allows Ramires to do the running.

I think we're bound to see that at some stage this season. It's a long season and people will inevitably pick up knocks.

[Phil Driver 503]

On the bench today . He could now be in place to start should Rammy or Lamps need a break ?

[ChelseasMessiah 304]

I wonder how he's training as I thought he would get a little bit more playing time than he has so far. It's always a great sight seeing him in a Chelsea shirt.