Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich will thwart Jose Mourinho's hopes of a reunion with his old midfield general Michael Essien. The Ghana international struggled for form and fitness last season, with many Blues supporters suggesting the former powerhouse should be shipped out. But the Blues will not be doing business with their former manager. Abramovich will reportedly block any attempt by Real Madrid to sign Essien. Mourinho is rumoured to want the 28-year-old to add some strength to his midfield. But his former boss doesn't want the player to leave - especially not to link-up with Mourinho. Essien was a Mourinho signing when he moved to Stamford Bridge for £24.4 million in August 2005. He still has four years to run on his £110,000-a-week deal and is in no hurry to leave.
A good pre-season and an injury free Essien would be a welcome member of the team, I reckon he deserves at least another year...everyone has a dip in their career, it's how he responds to it that will count.
I've heard it a lot...don't really agree with it, but there are a fair more than a few who have said it...
Probably the same people who think we are going to replace about 10 players this year!! Essien in the holding role next year for me with Lamps and Ramieres also in midfield (subject to us getting anyone else in).
