Blues sweating on African star

Chelsea are anxiously waiting to assess the injury to Michael Essien after the Ghanian star pulled out of the African Cup of Nations on Monday. Fears are that the muscular midfielder’s season may be over after he damaged knee ligaments in training in Angola. He missed six months of last season with knee knack. According to reports, Essien is on his way back to London where he will be checked by Chelsea medical staff. If their worst fears are realised, it could force the club into the transfer market with AC Milan pit-bull Gennaro Gattuso likely to be Blues manager Carlo Ancelotti’s first choice. The situation may also wreck Essien’s World Cup dream.