While the end to last season was frustrating for many of Chelsea's squad, Michael Essien might have been forgiven for coming away with a certain amount of personal satisfaction. Having missed the majority of the campaign with a severe knee injury (during which period he admitted that he often slept for 16 hours each day), his wonder goal against Barcelona in the Champions League semi-final and overall performances in the latter part of the season under Guus Hiddink, when he helped the team to a consolation FA Cup win, reminded everyone at the club of his immense ability. Consequently, the Ghanaian approached the new season in high spirits and with lofty ambitions: "I am still buzzing from the FA Cup win and Ghana's back-to-back wins in the World Cup qualifiers," he said in the summer. "They were tough games, but we came through very well and I am hoping to carry the same form into the new season starting in the US. "I am also hoping for an injury-free season so I can contribute fully to the team. At the end of the season I expect us to be up there with the best." The 26-year-old might have been forgiven for being more than a little aggrieved when it transpired that new manager Carlo Ancelotti seemed less then convinced by Essien's ability. The Italian seemed concerned that Essien's impressive physicality was not suited to the more technical nature of his midfield diamond formation. Instead it was a fellow African, John Obi Mikel, who found the Italian's favour. "I have a lot of trust in Mikel, I think he can be the playmaker of this team. He is a young player, but has great quality, both technical and tactical," Ancelotti said shortly after his arrival. "For the present and for the future he is a very important player for us. We are very happy he has signed a new contract and I hope that he stays at Chelsea for a lot of years. I would like that he puts in his great quality for the team." And it was indeed Mikel who initially occupied the position at the base of Ancelotti's midfield diamond, a role Essien might naturally have expected to make his own. Instead, the Ghanaian found himself forced to fight for a position in the heart of the midfield with Florent Malouda and Michael Ballack – a position he did not seem best suited to and a fight, initially at least, that he did not always win. Rather than moan to the press, however, Essien simply put his head down and concentrated on making his performances impossible to ignore, an impressive attitude that has paid off in recent weeks. Having put in a serious of solid midfield performances while Mikel failed to convince, Essien made a real statement of intent to his manager with an all-action display as the Blues beat Burnley 3-0 in August. His manager took the hint: "We had a perfect display and I would like to give special praise to Michael Essien, who did an amazing job in the midfield and found the pass that broke the game open for us," Ancelotti said after the victory at Stamford Bridge. From that point on, with Ancelotti's concerns fading, it was inevitable that Essien would supplant the under-performing Mikel as the side's first-choice defensive midfielder. A dominating performance against Tottenham Hotspur, in which he made a crucial last-ditch tackle, was followed by another good performance in the cauldron of the GSP Stadium against APOEL Nicosia. And last Sunday, against Liverpool, he was one of the game's strongest performers, nullifying the threat of Steven Gerrard, outshining opposite number Javier Mascherano,and even contributing to Nicolas Anelka's opening goal. Essien's post-match comments showed that he has not taken his eye off the prize. Rather than talk about his personal performance, it was all about the team: "To take three points from [Liverpool] is very good. The game was hard but taking three points was a must because Manchester United lost two points at home on Saturday night," he said. "It is a good day for us and that will give us confidence for the rest of the title run-in. Last season we did not do well against them so it is good to let them know we mean business this season." With a series of accomplished displays, Essien has proven himself to be indispensible to Chelsea once more. Along with Didier Drogba and John Terry, he is now one of the first names on the Blues' teamsheet. The rollercoaster ride for the Ghanaian might not be over, especially as he heads off to Angola for the African Cup of Nations in January. In the meantime, Essien has served up a timely reminder that the Blues are a better side with him at its core. Source: goal.com