Essien's return excites AVB
Michael got his first taste of Chelsea in 273 days after making a cameo against Sunderland in his side's 1-0 win at the Stamford Bridge.
Coming on for Frank Lampard, Essien had about 18 minutes to soak in the Premier League again after his long layoff. In his post-match press interview, coach Andre Villas-Boas was excited with the Bison's return. "I commend our medical staff who got Michael Essien back a month early and to see him on the pitch was amazing."
The Ghana midfielder came on for Frank Lampard in the 73rd minute and almost immediately affected the game with a dragged effort two minutes later. Now 29 years, many fear that he will be a more careful player than he is known to be. Villas-Boas also said "to see him back with such quality is great."
Essien was injured in pre-season in a freak accident which has kept him off action for six-months. He will not be part of Ghana's African Cup plans as all parties agreed it was in is best interest to recover fully and be eased into action at Chelsea.