T'is about time the lad had his own thread (and SWP maybe?) - well, IF we sign this lad, by all accounts he's a good player. Ghanain, so he has English as his first language and that aint a bad thing, almost makes him a homegrown player really imo. Essien wants Chelsea move Michael Essien has stated his desire to leave French champions Lyon and join Chelsea as soon as possible. The Ghanaian international has attracted the interest of the Premiership champions this close season, while Manchester United and Real Madrid are also known admirers of the 22-year-old. Lyon chairman Jean-Michel Aulas has stood firm over keeping the former Bastia player, having previously stated that he would not sell him for �25 million. The midfielder, however, has now made it clear that he wants to leave Stade Gerland and join The Blues, claiming he cannot afford to miss out on such an opportunity at this stage of his career. "I want to leave," Essien told L'Equipe. "I have had plenty of thought on this during my holidays. "It is time for me to leave, and I won't change my mind. "To me, Lyon is over. I won't go to Korea (for pre-season) with the team. "It is in my interest, and in Lyon's interest, that I leave. "Now, I hope the chairman won't prevent me from seizing that opportunity. "I want to play in England and at Chelsea. I am already at Chelsea in my mind. I am dreaming about that. "I want to go because if not, I will regret it all my life. If I stay, I don't know in what state of mind I will be." Despite clearly stating his desire to leave, Aulas again made clear that the African talent is not for sale. "It is not a matter of money, but a matter of principle," Aulas told L'Est Republicain. "Anyway, we won't sell him."
Some Essein CL comparison stats with our mfs http://skysports.planetfootball.com...s+Essien+right+for+Blues?&channel=premiership
not too shabby. He will come. Lyon is not stupid enough to lose millions of dollars on him, just to keep him for another season.
Pure negotiating ploy. No one in their right mind would pass on £££ to hold on to a player that has a year left in their contract. A player that has publicly stated his desire to leave. What a joke. Of course, Mourinho is playing his little negotiating games as well: "I am cool," he added. "I am happy with what I have, I don't need more. I have a good balance, all the positions are covered. "We already have an improvement with Del Horno, Crespo and Carlton Cole. "If during this two or three weeks before the end of the month we can get an extra player I will be pleased, but I am happy by keeping my players and that is the most important thing."
Keynon supposedy in Lyon today to negotiate...who's next on our list then... http://football.guardian.co.uk/breakingnews/feedstory/0,14546,-5136073,00.html
I can imagine the conversation: Aulas: "You are not for sale." Eissen: "I want to leave!" Aulas: "You are not for sale." Eissen: "I want to leave." Aulas:"You are coming with us to South Korea" Eissen: "No im not!" Aulas: "Yes you are!" etc etc
Just to keep an unwilling player for another season. He's showed he wants to leave, and I think despite being french, the club has enough sense to know he won't be playing as well as he could if he doesn't leave.
furthering your point, thus, making his transfer fee next year even lower. I don't think Lyon management is that dumb.