The news that Michael Essien had ruptured a cruciate ligament during an international game last week and faces a lengthy period out, really wasn’t what Chelsea needed to hear right now. Scolari apparently didn’t see the need to add to the squad during the summer and now finds himself in a position where he only has John Obi Mikel as cover for the duration of Essien’s absence.

However, since the transfer window is now closed, Scolari will have to look around for either free agents or a loan deal – which, according to Scolari is exactly what he plans to do. The Chelsea boss has said “I have some idea about how to fill Michael’s position and I told Peter Kenyon about them. He will try to do something today, tomorrow or next week.”

Anyway, looking at potential cover, Essien’s Ghanaian team-mate and ironically, our midfielder’s replacement on the night last week, Stephen Appiah, seems to be the name popping up in the press. The Ghana captain, who himself has only recently returned to the game following a similar injury to Essien, is a free agent, so the suggestion is that should a thorough medical highlight nothing dodgy, he could be the ideal replacement.

Appiah is considered to be a pretty good player, with similar characteristics to the midfield powerhouse we’ve relied on so heavily and it’s felt he won’t remain a free agent for long.

So, all that remains now is for Kenyon to make his usual hash of it and give Appiah a reason to turn us down!

Filed under: Rants