Filed under: Chelsea, Premier League, Football, Transfer News
If Carlo Ancelotti's time at Chelsea is brought to an abrupt end this summer then the Italian will have no shortage of job offers in his homeland, although the latest suggestions are that he might take a year off before resuming his managerial career.Yet he is not the only Stamford Bridge employee being lined up for a switch to Serie A: AC Milan are understood to be keen on adding Michael Essien to their midfield.
According to the Daily Mirror, Milan manager Massimiliano Allegri has identified the Ghanaian as the man he most wants to help protect the club's first title in seven years, which will be theirs if they beat Roma - the club that wants to hire Ancelotti - on Saturday.
Essien cost £24 million from Lyon six years ago and, at 28, is now very much in his prime. This year has not been a stellar one by his own high standards but for the games that mattered he has always been chosen in the starting line-up.
He has also had to recover from serious knee injuries both last year and in 2008 and the arrival of the Brazilian Ramires to add to Frank Lampard and John Obi Mikel in midfield means Chelsea could cope once more with his absence.
But the indications are that they do not wish to, even should Milan start the bidding at the £20 million mark. Indeed, the player's agent, Fabien Piveteau, is already satisfied his client will remain in London after meeting Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck.
"The club want him to stay and he will be there for the next four seasons," he said. "Lots of clubs are interested in Michael but the answer is the same - he is very happy at Chelsea."
Milan may prove persistent in their pursuit however - and if Ancelotti goes then his successor may be tempted to cash in on the African, especially if Milan offer tempting player-exchange options.
Mikel could be forgiven for hoping this comes to pass having been squeezed out of the side earlier on. The Nigeria international has now ousted Ramires and is determined to remain in possession of a starting line-up.
"I had a good run from the start of the season until January and then I wasn't playing so much," he said. "Now that I have started playing again, I want to do so as much as I can to help the team win trophies. This is why I'm at this club."
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