Essien likely to miss African Nations Cup

Jose Mourinho believes Michael Essien will miss the African Nations Cup and stay with Chelsea for treatment on his ankle injury.

The Ghana international was unable to walk after yesterday's 3-1 win over West Ham following a 13th-minute challenge by Nigel Reo-Coker which resulted in him being taken off on a stretcher.

Essien is waiting to learn the full extent of the injury but early indications suggest he has suffered ankle ligament damage which could sideline him for weeks.

And Mourinho told his club's official website, www.chelseafc.com: "Essien I think is not going (to the African Nations Cup).

"To have treatment, it is better to stay with Chelsea. He would be going (to Egypt) for nothing."


Expect Ghana to go out in the group stages and then Essien to make a miraculous recovery in time to play the next Chel$ki game.