Filed under: Chelsea, West Ham, Premier League, Football, Transfer News
Every cloud, eh? While Michael Essien is contemplating six months of kicking his heels in his Surrey mansion near the Chelsea training ground, Scott Parker could be celebrating a dream move back to the Premier League.Essien has been ruled out until at least February having had surgery on a cruciate ligament injury in his right knee sustained in training last week. It leaves Chelsea short of steel in midfield - and the club are keen to find a replacement, as the Ghana international's absence in the first half of last season certainly told.
A club statement confirmed Essien's injury: "Following injury to his right knee in training last week, Michael Essien had surgery today to repair a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus. The surgery was successful and Michael's full recovery could take up to six months."
It is a bitter blow for Chelsea and manager Andre Villas Boas. But he just happens to know of a man who played at Stamford Bridge in his time as scout under Jose Mourinho, who would be the perfect replacement for Essien. And it is none other than West Ham's Parker.
It may seem far-fetched that Parker, who made just eight starts for Chelsea in his last stint at the club - which lasted a season and a half - could be in with a chance of a return.
But Villas Boas is understood to be a fan of the combative midfielder and remembers his presence in the dressing room as much as his cameos in the first team.
West Ham have made no secret that they want to keep their player, who was one of the few highlights in a dismal season which ended in relegation to the Championship. But they are also realistic - Parker is contracted until 2014, which would mean he would command a hefty transfer fee.
And one thing that the West Ham owners like to remind everybody on a regular basis is how little money they have. Co-owner David Sullivan, according to the Daily Mirror newspaper, would not comment on whether he has had an approach from Chelsea for Parker.
But Villas Boas is keen on bringing him back to Stamford Bridge. Apart from Parker's performances on the pitch - he has grown stronger and more tenacious since he was last at Stamford Bridge - it is the way he commanded respect last time he was at Chelsea which impressed the manager.
On Essien he said: "Everyone at Chelsea wishes Michael well for his recovery. His team-mates and all the staff and I look forward to helping him return to playing as soon as possible."
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Source: http://www.fanhouse.co.uk/2011/07/12/scott-parker-west-ham-chelsea-return/
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