Michael Essien- Should Chelsea stick or twist?

Here are two differing opinions on the Ghana midfielder...

Keep him 

Essien at his best is Chelsea's most important midfielder. Aged 29 he still has at least three or four years left at the top level, and after missing large parts of the past few seasons through injury, he will be raring to make up for lost time.

He is a box-to-box player who can fit into any system put in place by a new manager, who also has the versatility to place in defensive positions if required. While other, older, members of the squad such as Didier Drogba, 34, could be moved on this summer, Essien should be allowed to stay as a proven winner from the Jose Mourinho era who is not yet past his peak.

Chelsea have been paying his wages over the past few years despite his injury problems, and surely it would be silly to sell him as soon as he regains his fitness.

He should not be judged on his performances between now and the end of the season, give him a full pre-season and let him get back to his previous high standards next year. If that does not work out, then summer 2013 will be the time to consider moving him on.

Essien has been a part of the fabric for Chelsea since 2005, yet keeps a low profile and does not appear to be a cause of trouble in the dressing room, and will simply be eager to get back to playing football. He has had such bad luck with injuries, he is due some good fortune and should have a good few years ahead of him.

If a club second placed in Serie A are interested in signing him, then it shows he clearly has a lot still to offer, and Chelsea could make a mistake in moving him on.

Essien is also a scorer of important goals, netting in a Champions League semi-final against Barcelona, and his experience can help younger members of the squad.

Sell him

Essien's best years are behind him, and Chelsea should cash in for him while they can. He has suffered two serious knee injuries in three years, and another could end his career. If the Sun's report is true that Juventus have around £10 million to spend on him, they should snap their hand off.

The player could come good, but his performances since returning from injury have done little to arrest the club's declining form.

Along with Malouda, Drogba, Lampard, he should be moved on, and he may be one of the players Chelsea can still get good money for.

The club have become so used to being without him for stretches of the past few years, they would hardly miss him.

It is time for the club to focus on younger players, and spend some money on 'the next Essien'.

The challenge facing Chelsea now is so huge that there is no time for sentiment, he should be thanked for his performances and appearances for the club, and moved on.

Going into the final few years of his career he will want first team football, and there is no guarantee he will be an automatic first choice for Chelsea, and will not want to spend long stretches on the bench.

A major clear out of personnel is needed at the club, for a completely fresh start. It's time for the club to take the money and write a new chapter.

Which side do you sit on, should Chelsea keep Michael Essien or sell him on?

image: © sonyds