There can be few finer sights in the Premier League archives than viewing Micheal Essien in his pomp. Be it battering the ball into the net from 40 yards, carrying it from box to box with the power of a high speed monster truck, putting in a world class tackle or surprising us with the deftest of touches, Essien was the bedrock of Chelsea’s title successes. But after a couple of years of serious injury one wonders whether we will ever see the swashbuckling Essien of old. At 29 his career could now go either way but, for someone whose game is so heavily based on energy and athleticism, some fear that his best days are behind him.
Hopefully this isn’t the case but Chelsea are rumoured to be ready to bolster the engine room with a like for like replacement anyway. The Guardian suggests that Cheick Tioté will be making his way to Stamford Bridge at the end of the season. After a sensational year or so at Newcastle, Chelsea will have to pay a shed load more than the £3.5m that The Toon forked out for the midfield enforcer but, based on what we have seen of him, it would probably be money well spent.
Newcastle fans will already be sick to death of transfer rumours regarding their players but, sadly for them, they are going to have to endure a whole summer of it. They do at least have a chief scout with the midas touch so they can expect more exciting arrivals regardless of which clubs come in for their current cream of the crop.
