Following the news that Michael Essien was ruled out for around 6 months through injury, it was inevitable that names would start popping up in the press as potential replacements.

The first to come up was Stephen Appiah. An obvious choice maybe, with him being released by Fenerbahce and as such, would be immediately available. Appiah had already been linked with Arsenal and West Ham, and before Essien’s injury had said “Yes, I’m moving to London, I have two offers from Arsenal and West Ham and I will choose the better offer.” Then with the news of his Ghanaian team-mate’s injury, it was suggested that should Chelsea look in his direction for a replacement, Appiah might well wait for the more lucrative deal to follow. However, it now seems an unlikely signing, with Chelsea and Appiah both wanting entirely different things in terms of contract length. The Ghanaian suggests he isn’t interested in a short-term contract and could therefore end up at either Pompey or West Ham if they offer him the three years they’re reported to be considering.

Another player linked to Chelsea, and coincidentally, Arsenal, is 33 year-old Carlos Luciano da Silva – or Mineiro if that’s a bit of a mouthful. Wenger had apparently been following the defensive midfielder after the transfer window closed and looked to be odds on to sign him. But Scolari, who gave Mineiro his first Brazilian cap in 2001, is reported to be ready to snatch the player from under Wenger’s nose in the next day or two.

Or is he? Because the latest rumours appear to be revolving around the suggestion that Chelsea are looking for a long-term signing – in the form of Gareth Barry. Although why we’d want a long term solution when Essien will be back next year and John Obi Mikel does a more than adequate job anyway, seems a bit puzzling.

But anyway, Barry, as we all know was very vocal during the summer about his desire to play for Liverpool and subsequently refused to have talks about a new contract with Villa once his move to Anfield fell through. And, the suggestion is that with him being available for around £18million in the January transfer window, Scolari could see him as an option. But again, quite why that would be seen as viable when Essien would be back soon after, I can’t work out.

Unless of course this has got less to do with replacing Essien and more to do with the fact that Michael Ballack’s contract is running down?

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