Michael Essien admits ...

[Lofty]

... he cannot wait for the 2009/10 campaign to get underway.

From Sky:

Excitement builds for Essien

Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien admits he cannot wait for the 2009/10 campaign to get underway.

The Ghana international is more excited than most with the new season fast approaching, having seen last term disrupted by injury.

A serious knee problem kept him sidelined for long periods, preventing him from playing an integral role in Chelsea's pursuit of silverware.

He was back in the side by the time the Blues tasted FA Cup glory over Everton, but Premier League and UEFA Champions League success eluded the club.

Essien is determined to right those wrongs next season and insists he feels in the best possible shape heading into what promises to be an arduous campaign.

Chelsea will kick-start their preparations for the challenges which lie ahead by conducting a four-game American tour over the next few weeks, and their African enforcer is adamant the Blues will be ready when competitive action resumes in August.

Buzzing

"I have had a fantastic break and I am looking forward to the new season already," Essien said on his personal website.

"I am still buzzing from the FA Cup win and Ghana's back-to-back wins in the World Cup qualifiers."

He added: "They were tough games [last season], but we came through very well and I am hoping to carry the same form into the new season starting in the US.

"I am also hoping for an injury-free season and so I can contribute fully to the team.

"At the end of the season I expect us to be up there with the best."

[mad_mac]

Great news, I feel that we sorely missed Essien last season and for him to make such noise this early is great. TO bad there's the ACN to mess everything up!

[PloKoon13]

...he isn't quite as big as Makelele.

Maka and I tried comparing in the dressing room once and his was a couple of inches longer; it was dangling somewhere by his ankles. Apparently he attempted to measure it once but the tape measure was too...[continued p.94]

[Eggy McMuffin]

...he isn't quite as big as Makelele.

:D :lol: :lol:

That's a brilliant quote.

[Pauly]

what is this sky sports?! It's like one of those headlines that say: STAR PREMIER LEAGUE PLAYER CAUGHT DRINK DRIVING. And it's Darren Huckerby...

[dkw]

you git Lofty, i feared the worst when i saw your title, and you knew what you were doing didnt you.... :D

i cant wait to see essien this season. he was superb when he returned, but inevitably his lack of match fitness caught him towards the end of the season.

[g3.7]

what is this sky sports?! It's like one of those headlines that say: STAR PREMIER LEAGUE PLAYER CAUGHT DRINK DRIVING. And it's Darren Huckerby...

you'd love sky sports news. (it's a channel basically devoted to pretty former footballers daughters reading out transfer speculation and occaisionally feigning an interest in golf)

[Mr Chelsea]

its always good the hear the players are in positive mood before the start of the season

[Captain Haribo]

If he stays fit all season, I'll be very confident. Our best player in my view, and probably my favourite since Zola.