After an injury-prone last season, Chelsea star Essien can't wait to be part of EPL opener today
After an injury-prone last season, Chelsea star Michael Essien can't wait to be part of EPL opener today
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Michael Essien will kick off the new season against West Bromwich Albion today as one of the few Chelsea players anxious to put the memory of the most recent campaign behind him.
While his teammates marked Carlo Ancelotti's first term in charge with the club's first ever Premier League and FA Cup double, the midfielder looked on from the sidelines after suffering a serious knee injury.Essien is now fully fit and ready to feature in his first league game in 2010.
Despite last season's success, the Blues suffered in the midfielder's absence.
"It feels so good to be back, it has been a long way back but everything is behind me now and I'm enjoying playing football again," said Essien.
"These injuries are part of football, so you have to take them when they come and not get too down about it.
"I knew if I worked hard I would be back again so that's what I did and I am back on my feet."
He added: "I know a few years ago it could have been the end of my career but with new technologies, surgery and techniques things are good, so yeah, let's go again this season.
Chelsea's pre-season preparations have hardly run smoothly with Ancelotti conceding his side are still short of full fitness.
Last weekend's disappointing 3-1 defeat at the hands of Manchester United in the Community Shield -- the game that marked Essien's return -- inevitably raised questions about the champions' ability to retain their crown, particularly following the departures of Joe Cole, Ricardo Carvalho, Michael Ballack, Deco and Juliano Belletti.
The visit of newly-promoted West Brom, though, should provide a routine three points, while subsequent meetings with Wigan and Stoke will provide breathing space before more daunting opponents loom after the transfer window shuts.
Essien, though, is primarily concerned with his own condition. "We've had a bit of a bad pre-season with losing games but more importantly it has been good for me to be gaining fitness again and making sure I am sharp and ready for the season," the midfielder added.
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