Michael Essien made a goalscoring return to action following his six-month lay-off to give Double winners Chelsea victory at Crystal Palace.
Ghana midfielder Essien, out since December with a cruciate knee ligament injury and who also missed his country’s World Cup heroics, managed an hour as Chelsea kicked off their pre-season.
Essien, 27, who started in a side made up mostly of reserve team players like Ryan Betrand, scored with a left-foot shot from the edge of the area and was substituted immediately afterwards.
Manager Carlo Ancelotti said: “Michael is very important to this team. He has come back very well and is a fantastic player.”
With one star back, Ancelotti is bent on keeping another, warning Jose Mourinho that he is wasting his time pursuing Ashley Cole. Former Chelsea boss Mourinho is eager to be reunited with Cole and the Real Madrid coach is weighing up a £30million bid for the England left-back.
Ancelotti said: “I haven’t spoken with Ashley – we don’t need to.
“He had a fantastic season last year and is going to be an important player for us this season. He will remain with us, 100 per cent.”
Ancelotti has also cooled his interest in Fernando Torres, with the price tag proving the major stumbling block. Liverpool wants at least £50m for Spain’s World Cup winner Torres and now Ancelotti claims he is happy with his current squad.
He said: “Nothing has changed. We have lots of good strikers so we don’t need more. The transfer window is still open but I am very happy to continue with this squad who has won the Double.
England World Cup flops John Terry, Frank Lampard and Cole are back this week. But Ancelotti said: “The World Cup is in the past. It was not good for them but I think the club is a different story.”
Ghana midfielder Essien, out since December with a cruciate knee ligament injury and who also missed his country’s World Cup heroics, managed an hour as Chelsea kicked off their pre-season.
Essien, 27, who started in a side made up mostly of reserve team players like Ryan Betrand, scored with a left-foot shot from the edge of the area and was substituted immediately afterwards.
Manager Carlo Ancelotti said: “Michael is very important to this team. He has come back very well and is a fantastic player.”
With one star back, Ancelotti is bent on keeping another, warning Jose Mourinho that he is wasting his time pursuing Ashley Cole. Former Chelsea boss Mourinho is eager to be reunited with Cole and the Real Madrid coach is weighing up a £30million bid for the England left-back.
Ancelotti said: “I haven’t spoken with Ashley – we don’t need to.
“He had a fantastic season last year and is going to be an important player for us this season. He will remain with us, 100 per cent.”
Ancelotti has also cooled his interest in Fernando Torres, with the price tag proving the major stumbling block. Liverpool wants at least £50m for Spain’s World Cup winner Torres and now Ancelotti claims he is happy with his current squad.
He said: “Nothing has changed. We have lots of good strikers so we don’t need more. The transfer window is still open but I am very happy to continue with this squad who has won the Double.
England World Cup flops John Terry, Frank Lampard and Cole are back this week. But Ancelotti said: “The World Cup is in the past. It was not good for them but I think the club is a different story.”
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