Essien signs new Chelsea contract

zocoss SG

Essien signs new Chelsea contract

Midfielder Michael Essien has signed a new five-year contract with Chelsea.
The Ghana international, 24, moved to Stamford Bridge from French side Lyon for £24m in August 2005 and is now committed to the club until 2012. "It didn't take me long to decide to sign," said Essien, who has made 46 appearances for Chelsea this season.

"I am really happy because I came here to stay a long time. I work really hard and do everything to succeed. I have the ambition to win a lot of trophies." Essien, who scored an own goal during Sunday's 3-3 FA Cup draw with Tottenham, is so highly rated by Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho that he has only missed one match for the club so far this campaign. The Ghana international has impressed with his versatility by filling in in midfield and defence.

Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon said after Essien's put pen to paper on a new deal: "We are delighted to have him. "We spent a summer getting him, it wasn't easy, and it is nice to be on the next step. "He is recognised as one of the new gems to have joined the Premiership. He enjoys London and is settled."

Looks like he is one player that won't be following jose out the door come June...

used SG

score own goal get this kind of reward Laughing

a-Lost-9uY SG

ya after scoring 2 OG

anhydrouscoppersulphate SG

but he is still quite an impt player for chelsea all season

zocoss SG

Like that ah... Oh then Terry should score more own goal as well... if he wants his $130,000 per week salary to be approve... Laughing

zocoss SG

One player who will not be accompanying Mourinho should he leave is Michael Essien the Ghana utility man signed a £90,000-a-week, five-year deal yesterday, putting him on a par with Didier Drogba, who signed a contract extension until 2010 last November.

By tying the Africans to long-term deals, Chelsea have ensured they cannot be poached by Mourinho if he leaves.

SumOne SG

I think OG is like an occupational hazard for central defenders. John Terry and Ferdinand have scored own goals as well. Sometimes, you can never know where the ball goes and usually other than the goalie, the central defenders are the closest to the goal and net.