MICHAEL ESSIEN GOES TO CHELSEA

Chelsea legend Michael Essien returned to the club and has been training from the club’s Cobham base.

The decorated African midfielder won several honours with the Blues, winning the Premier League, the FA Cup, League Cup, and the UEFA Champions League. The former Ghana international even won the African Footballer of the Year award in 2006 but has refused to call time on his professional football career.

Essien was released by Greek side Panathinaikos at the end of last season, and he has remained unattached but insists that he still has football in his leg, hence flying to Chelsea to train with his former club. He remains committed to maintaining his fitness level, using his former club’s facilities. The player posted video of him on Instagram working out in the gym with the caption “Let’s gooo.”

The former Bastia player featured for the side in the early 2000s before he moved to France to play for Lique 1 giants Lyon from 2003 to 2005. The tireless and highly talented player moved to Stamford Bridge after impressing at the French side in 2005, playing under different managers until he left in 2012 on loan to Real Madrid. He returned to England but moved out permanently to AC Milan before joining the Greek side in 2015.

“I am still active, I have been training to keep my fitness. I have not retired. I would definitely announce to everyone if I retire,” the player told the BBC. There are rumours that the player might be forced to move to the MLS or China before he finally calls time on his successful career that has moved him to different countries.