Sporting Life sporlife

Essien Appeals To Drogba

Tue 22 Jul, 05:09 PM


Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien is hopeful striker Didier Drogba will follow his lead and agree a new contact at Stamford Bridge.

Ghana international Essien agreed a five-year contract on Wednesday ahead of Chelsea's opening pre-season match in China on Thursday, while Ivory Coast international Drogba remained in London to recover from a persistent knee injury.

The news of the decision to leave the 30-year-old at Chelsea's Cobham training base to continue his recuperation has increased speculation he will leave Stamford Bridge before the start of the new campaign.

"Hopefully things will work out for Didier because we need him to stay," said Essien.

"If he can make up his mind it will be good for us. He knows what he wants so it is up to him."

Essien, who arrived from Lyon in 2005, will remain at Stamford Bridge until 2013 and follows quickly in the footsteps of full-back Wayne Bridge and goalkeeper Petr Cech in agreeing new contracts with the London club.

He has so far made 143 appearances for the Blues, scoring on 14 occasions, while also winning the Premier League title in his first season.

"I am really pleased to sign a new contract with Chelsea," added the 25-year-old. "I came here to stay longer, I like the team and I love the fans and I think we have got a great squad. I did not consider any other options, I love playing for Chelsea."

And having committed his future to the club shortly after arriving in China ahead of Thursday's meeting with Chinese Super League side Guangzhou Pharmaceutical, Essien hopes the trip will be the start of a bright future for last season's Premier League and Champions League runners-up under new coach Luiz Felipe Scolari.

The former Portugal coach took over from Avram Grant following Euro 2008 and is already attempting to make his mark on the squad after speaking of building a new philosophy, and was seen taking an active part in training at Guangzhou's Olympic Stadium on Wednesday.

"We have one of the best coaches in the world," said Essien. "He has a different way of working so hopefully things will work for us."

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Comment 1 - 15 of 15

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  1. Drogba listen to the wise person and stay at chealsea. let essien be your best pal and believe you me the two of you will be more than the best

    From ruthesh2g, on Fri 25 Jul 6:03AM

  2. my opinion is that I'm agree with what Essien say's that drogba must remain in chelsea.becouse this coming five years will win champions legue about 4 times.let me say this comblainers about Didier jealous is sin.

    From gerttjambiru1, on Thu 24 Jul 6:12PM

  3. poor little david h is another lousy chelski scumm piece of dog shiitt -- have a look in the mirror you pathetic scum what are the master of this scumm page

    have a look every person knows chelski are just a team of thugs, black monkeys players, drogba the dog essien the thugs the list goes on and on

    get a life you worthless piece of shiitt

    long live arsenal

    From John Mitchell, on Thu 24 Jul 4:09AM

  4. John'The Retard'Mitchell. What a sad excuse of an individual you are! God help your family and any other misfortune who has to know you! Such a bitter person! you have'nt a clue about football! You Poor tit!

    From David H, on Wed 23 Jul 9:36AM

  5. haha....to all man u fans its going to be a dooms season for you guys this new season....i am so happy that its happening....chelsea r back in....YES!!!!! be carefull dont get relegated...coz it will be pitty to see the old ugly alex ferguson(scotish alcoholic) to manage the team in 2nd devision.....remember chelsea are back and ur best can even beat our worst!!!!

    From pratheeb, on Wed 23 Jul 9:31AM

  6. OH DEAR...TO ALL MUDCHESTER UTD FANS YOU SAD SAD BUNCH OF LOOSERS YOUR COMMENTS ABOUT MY BELOVED CHELSEA PROVE YOU ARE ALREADY SCARED BEFORE THE NEW SEASON HAS BEGUN...MY ADVICE TO YOU BRAINLESS HAS BEENS...SHUT UP, PUT UP..CHELSEA ARE BACK...OH AND THAT OLD SCOTISH ALCOHOLIC SHOULD RETIRE NOW...HIS DAYS ARE NUMBERED...SCOLARI HAS RODE INTO TOWN...CHELSEA TILL I DIE...

    From herbzone, on Wed 23 Jul 8:06AM

  7. Chelski have all the players blah blah blah, so what, when was the last time you won the champions league?.............. not in the last 5 years. A bunch of guns for hire dont always make the best team, specialy not when its a team full of faties, divers and money grubbers!

    From jordan w, on Wed 23 Jul 5:54AM

  8. you say with all these players we will win the champions cup twice in 5years , so what happened to real madrid barca and other teams with lots of great players ?its about team work and players not sulking cos they did not get picked, yes chelsea as the players but sometimes it dont work that way if you know anything about football

    From Chris A, on Wed 23 Jul 4:24AM

  9. to the low life scum sucking chelsea supporter in this coloum at number 5 posting what a cry baby you must be, the old saying the truth must hurt, just go home and play with your puss infested @#$% like the team you support are @#$%, cheats, divers and best of all have cunnnts like you support them

    chelsea suck chelsea suck

    From John Mitchell, on Wed 23 Jul 12:48AM

  10. Good move Essien, pleased you're staying at Chelsea. Keep talking to Drogba and get him to sign too.

    From chelseafansue, on Wed 23 Jul 12:02AM

  11. jon mitchell last comment,,, you are the biggest dick on earth mate,if you hate the chelsea so much why are you reading about us? it must be because you are a jealous nob head,@#$% off and read youre own teams page,,,@#$% sucker

    From adybds, on Tue 22 Jul 10:58PM

  12. Michael Essien is a grub and a dirty footballer thats why he is a chleski all the grubs play here just look at john terry loves to spit all players, lampard is a fat turd, Didier Drogba is another who excels at diving and joe cole has no fookin brains at all

    CHELSEA SUCK

    From John Mitchell, on Tue 22 Jul 10:15PM

  13. how can you possibly think chelsea won't win champions league in 5 years... look at their team now. Lamard, deco, drogba if he re-signs, ballack, terry, cech. Scolari is a good coah. they will win 2 of the next 5 years

    From rabarberabarbe, on Tue 22 Jul 9:49PM

  14. Yea! Especially with the only teams eliminating English teams being English teams! You have no chance in the Champions League!

    From E, on Tue 22 Jul 7:29PM

  15. hey essien!dont tell drogba to stay at chelsea with you.i think you never wanna win the champions legue,thats why you sign more 5 years contract,until 2013.that was really a great mistake for you.drogba come to Barcelona or Ac Milan and win everything about football.thats my opinion

    From powell p, on Tue 22 Jul 7:22PM
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