[ 2012-01-10 ]

Michael ‘The Bison’ Essien is back
Essien hustling for a ball in the game on Monday
Chelsea's midfield dynamo, Michael Essien, has
returned from a difficult six months layoff due to
a recurring knee problem to play for the first
time this season. The midfielder who is regarded
as one of the best box-to-box anchormen suffered
the devastating injury weeks before the
commencement of the 2011-2012 English premier
league season.

His absence from Chelsea has been conspicuous as
the London club has recorded some disappointing
results at home, notably, the 5-3 defeat to
Arsenal and the back to back defeats to
Liverpool.

But on Monday the Bison made his first appearance
of the season and played 75 minutes in the Chelsea
reserves side that lost to West Bromwich Albion by
three goals to two.

According to the official website of the club, “it
was a comfortable outing for Essien and was
another step in his rehabilitation. He is not yet
working with the first team and is expected to be
back training with the squad towards the end of
the month.”

“The returning Essien had been a peripheral figure
for much of the first half, but his influence
began to grow as he cleverly used his experience
to retain possession and break up play.”

The Ghanaian came close to scoring when his header
from a Chelsea corner missed the net by inches.

His return to action will be crucial to Chelsea’s
quest to win the Champions League for the first
time in the history of the club.

Chelsea’s underfire manager, Andre Villas-Boas,
will also have at his disposal the assurance of
the midfield powerhouse who has the penchant to
shield the defense from marauding attacks.

Source - MyjoyOnline

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