Interesting how Essien starts for Madrid . I thought he looked Sharp in pre season ,should have kept him. I bet he dominates midfield tonight !

Made a few sloppy passes so far tonight. I hope he has an amazing season at Madrid, love to have him back next season.

He's lost a lot of pace which is to be expected with his injuries, still can't believe how unlucky he's been, was one of the best midfielders in the world on his day.

He's having a shocker so far.. About 3% pass completion lol. Wish him all the best

Strange when ozil and modric on bench

Grown in to the game, but Yaya mugged him off twice. Nevertheless he's looked solid and would have still been perfectly capable cover for us.

4 months without a proper game does that to you. Let him settle in, then again, he's no more than cover over there really. Don't see what we gained by loaning him.

I'd imagine it was more about balancing the books, pretty hefty wage for a guy that wouldn't have played much.

Is he going African cup this year or has he retired from Ghana?

Poor game for him, don't think we'll miss him a great deal but he would've been a useful body in midfield all the same.

A real shame how his career has turned out.

Essien didnt have a great game today, but the fact that Jose started him over Ozil and Modric was clearly a wakeup call to his squad. He will get better with more match experience, and considering Jose is trying to shake up that squad means Bison could see a lot of time.

I'd imagine it was more about balancing the books, pretty hefty wage for a guy that wouldn't have played much.

Exactly right. Essien was signed in 2005 when Roman was printing money for Jose to spend any way he liked. Now, its 2012, and people are crying foul because we dont have him to call upon as a sub or to start in cup games.

Sorry, I love Essien, I wear a shirt with his name and number proudly and nostalgically, but that guy who crushed Real Betis singlehandedly just isnt coming back.

On the other hand, he could be Jose's fixer and have success at Real Madrid, and then we might get a decent fee for him. His wages are a drop in the bucket for that club and their massive revenue streams.

Now, if he comes back next summer and then we loan him to Madrid again, THEN i too will be pissed.

Essien didnt have a great game today, but the fact that Jose started him over Ozil and Modric was clearly a wakeup call to his squad. He will get better with more match experience, and considering Jose is trying to shake up that squad means Bison could see a lot of time.

Exactly right. Essien was signed in 2005 when Roman was printing money for Jose to spend any way he liked. Now, its 2012, and people are crying foul because we dont have him to call upon as a sub or to start in cup games.

Sorry, I love Essien, I wear a shirt with his name and number proudly and nostalgically, but that guy who crushed Real Betis singlehandedly just isnt coming back.

On the other hand, he could be Jose's fixer and have success at Real Madrid, and then we might get a decent fee for him. His wages are a drop in the bucket for that club and their massive revenue streams.

Now, if he comes back next summer and then we loan him to Madrid again, THEN i too will be pissed.

His Chelsea career is essentially over, I feel. He'll be sold after this season, who to can't say.

I thought Essien did alright. Yaya is massive.

What a game - can't imagine tonight's will have as much drama. The real football season starts here!

I believe its the last time Essien will be seen as a FIRST CHOICE player anywhere

Essien last night was a 6/10 performance if I've ever seen one. Not a disaster but certainly nothing to suggest that his physicality and outrageous domination of the middle of the park of yesteryear has returned.

He played the full 90 against Rayo in their makeup game today. Looked quite lively, but I only caught the second half.

I dont want to read too much into it, but Modric was subbed off, Ozil used as a sub, and Khedira never came on. Thats two straight starts for Bison under Jose at a time when he is trying to right the ship. Thats pretty significant.

He played the full 90 against Rayo in their makeup game today. Looked quite lively, but I only caught the second half.

I dont want to read too much into it, but Modric was subbed off, Ozil used as a sub, and Khedira never came on. Thats two straight starts for Bison under Jose at a time when he is trying to right the ship. Thats pretty significant.

If Jose thinks that highly of him, then let's make the switch permanent and take Khedira off of their hands.

At a time when there's internal disharmony, it's no surprise that Mourinho's sticking with players loyal to him...

Pheonemonal player before 'that' injury and the only player since Keane and Viera who could eat up Toure. Seems like a terrific guy but he's won all there is to win and it's time for him to move on and all the best in his future endeavours.

If Jose thinks that highly of him, then let's make the switch permanent and take Khedira off of their hands.

Meh, Khedira is ok but i don't think he is any better than we all ready have.

Meh, Khedira is ok but i don't think he is any better than we all ready have.

He absolutely is better than what we already have. He's an incredibly versatile player, covers a ton of ground, can tackle, very solid passing range, can shoot from distance and he's very good in the air. It's a pipe dream because I can't see Mourinho getting rid of him, but if he were available we'd be absolutely mental to not want him.

heard that Essien got married yesterday...or maybe it;s today? in the UK.......

Not related to footy, but congrats to the Bison and his prize cow...

He absolutely is better than what we already have. He's an incredibly versatile player, covers a ton of ground, can tackle, very solid passing range, can shoot from distance and he's very good in the air. It's a pipe dream because I can't see Mourinho getting rid of him, but if he were available we'd be absolutely mental to not want him.

Do you rate him higher than, say, Vidal?

He absolutely is better than what we already have. He's an incredibly versatile player, covers a ton of ground, can tackle, very solid passing range, can shoot from distance and he's very good in the air. It's a pipe dream because I can't see Mourinho getting rid of him, but if he were available we'd be absolutely mental to not want him.

<------------------- Huge fan of Khedira..

I thought Modric looked distinctly unremarkable against City and Essien looked more at home among the elite players on show. Maybe he'll get his mojo back for Chelsea next season

I think he will be sold (and for not much money) next summer.