Essien ruled out six months

Posted on | Tuesday, July 12, 2011 | No Comments

Chelsea confirmed that Michael Essien suffered a knee injury will keep these out of action for six months.

The Ghana midfielder damaged ligaments in his right knee during a workout last week, the third serious knee battle of his career, and underwent surgery.

A statement on Chelsea's official website read: "Following a right knee injury in training last week, Michael Essien had surgery today to repair a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus.

"The operation was successful and full recovery could take Michael to six months."

Other Villas-Boas Chelsea manager added: "Everyone at Chelsea wishes Michael well in his recovery from his teammates and all the staff and I look forward to help him back to playing as soon as possible .."

Meanwhile, Villas-Boas revealed his desire to Chelsea to win in style this season.

New Chelsea manager, he moved to Stamford Bridge from Porto, which has had a remarkable 58 games, 145 goals during the title-winning campaign last year.

Villas-Boas worked at Chelsea, Jose Mourinho, whose style would be more pragmatic frustrated club owner Roman Abramovich.

But 33 years believes the key to success for Chelsea, chasing their first Champions League crown, will take the shackles off.

"You are free (the players) may have limitations in another type of system, but in the end, make you believe in the qualities and most importantly," Villas-Boas told Chelsea magazine.

"The company did not stop in time, after leaving, it has evolved in different ways, but it's the kind of empathy I have with people is essential.

"Go from top to bottom, and it is with people who meant a lot to me when I was here.

"We had three and a half years here, and to remember all these people what they can do and what are their objectives, there is something important to me.

"I think we are, and a good season.

"Coming here is not only big, sweeping changes. You have to be clear about what you do and decide, and I am very confident that we have enough people with the quality of this to go forward."

Chelsea are ready to step up their bid for the Tottenham midfielder Luka Modric for £ 27 million, having had a £ 22 million offer rejected earlier this summer.

Modric was informed by the chairman Daniel Levy Tottenham it was not for sale but still want to leave, claiming a move to Chelsea would be a "dream".

25 years told Croatian newspaper Sportske Novosti: "There is no doubt that Chelsea want me - that sent a concrete offer to Tottenham.

"I know that the new Chelsea boss said that he wants his team to the course I'm flattered by this interest in me -. It is a club that every player's dream to unite, fight for every competition available.

"It was not an impulsive decision - I spoke at length with my family and the people whose opinions I respect that I thought, weighed everything, and eventually decided this was the best option.".