Michael Essien is looking forward to renewing his relationship with 'daddy' Jose Mourinho after completing his loan move to Real Madrid and being immediately named in a 20-man squad for the home match with Granada. Essien was snapped up by Madrid on a season-long loan from Chelsea late on transfer deadline day, with the Spanish giants also agreeing to let Lassana Diarra join Russian side Anzh...Full Story »

Ghana midfielder Michael Essien described Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho as being "like a father" to him on Saturday after agreeing to move to the Spanish capital on a season-long loan from Chelsea. Essien was delighted to be reunited with Mourinho, who brought him to Stamford Bridge from Lyon in 2005 as the pair won the Premier League title, the FA Cup and the League Cup together before the l...Full Story »

Real Madrid have agreed to take Ghana midfielder Michael Essien on loan from Chelsea for the rest of the season, the Spanish champions said on Friday. The 29-year-old, who joined Chelsea from Olympique Lyon in 2005, links up again with former Stamford Bridge boss Jose Mourinho. The combative midfielder has won two Premier League titles, four FA Cups and one Champions League at the London clu...Full Story »

Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien joined Spanish champions Real Madrid on loan on transfer deadline day. The Ghanaian rejoins former Blues boss Jose Mourinho, who brought him to England in 2005, at the Bernabeu. The 29-year-old has made 247 appearances for Chelsea, scoring 25 goals and twice winning the club's goal of the season award. He also helped the club to two Premier League titles, f...Full Story »

Arsenal have made an audacious attempt to sign Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien on loan. Arsene Wenger wants to add a defensive midfielder to his ranks before Friday's transfer deadline and strides have been taken to recruit the Ghana international on a season-long loan. Essien is down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge and it is understood Roberto Di Matteo would consider letting him lea...Full Story »

Fenerbahce are preparing an £8million bid for Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien. The Turkish side want to bolster their squad for the Champions League, should they beat Spartak Moscow on Wednesday, and have also enquired about Essien’s team-mate Raul Meireles. Chelsea are willing to sell to help balance the books after an expensive summer. Wanted: Michael Essien is a target for T...Full Story »

Full Story »

Martin Jol believes he has taken a significant step towards securing Fulham's Barclays Premier League future after signing former Real Madrid midfielder Mahamadou Diarra for the rest of the season. The 30-year old, an integral part of Real's midfield under Fabio Capello, has agreed a contract for the rest of this season and hopes to do enough to persuade Jol he is worth a long-term deal. Free ...Full Story »

Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien insisted on Friday that he is feeling fitter than ever and raring to go after making his comeback from his latest serious knee injury. Essien came on as a substitute in Saturday's 1-0 Premier League win over Sunderland, having spent six months on the sidelines after rupturing a cruciate ligament in his right knee during pre-season training. "It's been a long w...Full Story »

Chelsea were boosted by Michael Essien's return from injury as he came through 75 minutes unscathed during a reserve team game against West Brom. Essien has not featured for Chelsea this season since picking up a knee injury in pre-season, so signs that he is progressing towards full fitness will be pleasing for manager Andre Villas-Boas. The midfielder's return to fitness is too late to fea...Full Story »