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Michael Essien is unlikely to play again for Chelsea
until February after a scan confirmed yesterday that he had torn
his right hamstring in Tuesday’s 2-2 Champions League draw with
Apoel.
The Ghana midfield player will be out of action for three to
four weeks, by which time he will be due to report for
international duty with his country at the African Cup of
Nations.
Essien’s injury could also lead to a stand-off between Chelsea
and the Ghana FA if the club deem him not to have recovered
sufficiently by the time the competition begins in Angola on
January 10. As a Fifa-sanctioned tournament, Chelsea cannot prevent
him from reporting for duty despite the fact that they pay his
wages, but they could insist on him travelling with a club doctor
to ensure that he receives the appropriate treatment.
Chelsea angered the Ivory Coast FA two years ago by scheduling a
knee operation for Didier Drogba in the middle of December, which
they feared would compromise his availability, although he
recovered to play a full part in the tournament.
Essien should be fit for the start of the tournament in any
case, although his absence for two months at a crucial time of the
season still represents a setback for Chelsea. Carlo Ancelotti, the
manager, will be particularly annoyed that the injury occurred in
what was essentially a meaningless fixture, a scenario he had done
his best to avoid by resting key players such as Nicolas Anelka,
Michael Ballack and Ashley Cole.
Chelsea have six matches in the next month as they seek to
maintain their position at the top of the Barclays Premier League
and a player of Essien’s ability and athleticism will be sorely
missed.
The 27-year-old is a crucial member of Ancelotti’s squad because
he can play in several positions, excelling as a defensive and
attacking midfield player and even at right back, providing a level
of versatility that is not easily replaced.