Mourinho tells Essien playing time is not guaranteed, Ghanaian can leave Chelsea

Published on: 02 January 2014
Mourinho tells Essien playing time is not guaranteed, Ghanaian can leave Chelsea
Mourinho says Essien must consider leaving Chelsea because playing time is not guaranteed.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho says he will not guarantee Michael Essien playing time if he stays at the English club this January as the Ghanaian midfielder is seeking game time with the 2014 World Cup in Brazil looming.

Mourinho, who has a special relationship with the Ghana international, has told the midfielder that he can leave the club this month if he wants an automatic starting place in the team without a fight.

The Portuguese manager says even though he wants Essien to stay at the club, the Ghanaian Essien must fight to earn a place in Chelsea's starting line-up.

Otherwise Essien must consider the several offers to secure his signature after his agent Fabien Piveteau suggested that the Ghanaian could leave the club this month because of the lack of playing time at the club.

Essien has told Mourinho that he wants regular playing time to be fit for Ghana in June's World Cup in Brazil and will not compromise on that before the tournament as it could negatively affect his performances in football's flagship event with the whole world watching.

But Mourinho says Essien must fight for his place in the team or look elsehwhere for playing time before the World Cup.

"I offer nobody - not Michael, not nobody (guaranteed playing time)," the Portuguese manager after Wednesday's 3-0 win over Southampton with Essien playing a role in the emphatic victory.

"I understand that players think about national team, the World Cup and playing regularly, but my players have to think of the team before the players. Michael knows that perfectly."

The revelation of Mourinho means Essien must consider the several clubs seeking his signature and sign for them before the winter transfer shuts at the end of the month.

The other option could be for Essien to stay at Chelsea and fight for playing time before the season ends in May then head to the 2014 World Cup with Ghana.

But the last option could prove risky as staying at Chelsea will not guarantee him playing time at a time that several clubs are willing to offer him some action.

Do you think Michael Essien should stay at Chelsea? Do you think he should just snub Mourinho and look for another club? Or do you think because Mourinho has a special relationship with Essien, the midfielder must listen to the boss and stay at Chelsea? Make your views known in the box below:

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