Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien insists he is on course to make a complete recovery from his latest knee injury, backing up the club’s reluctance to spend £40m on another midfielder in the transfer window.
Luka Modric was subject of an astronomical bid, but the fact that Chelsea had signed Oriol Romeu and Juan Mata already – and now Raul Meireles from Liverpool meant Chelsea are well stocked in the middle of the park until January.
Essien ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament at the start of pre-season training and the Ghana international is expected to miss a large part of the Blues’ campaign while he recovers from knee surgery.
The 28-year-old has been plagued by knee injuries during his time at Stamford Bridge; he sustained another cruciate problem in September 2008 that ruled him out until the following March and also missed last year’s World Cup after tearing medial knee ligaments during training for the Africa Cup of Nations in January 2010.
Essien admits to being frustrated by his spell on the sidelines but is confident of returning better than ever.
“The injury is well-documented so I will not dwell on it, however I can say I have had a good operation on my knee and I am definitely on the mend,” he wrote on Chelsea’s website.
“My days are filled with physio sessions from 10am to 5pm and it is a gradual process which I am confident will lead to the results I want.
“I have been here before and know the routine inside out now but it’s still hard work as I hate to watch games on TV.
“I prefer to be with my team-mates in training and on the field of play, however I know I have to be patient so I can heal properly.”
While Essien is confident he will eventually return from his latest injury, the former Lyon star refuses to put a date on his comeback at this stage.
“I have been asked when I am coming back and at this point in time it’s down to how the recovery goes and when I am given the all clear by the medical team,” he said.
“Sorry I can’t be more precise, but it’s too early to give specific dates.”
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