By Patrick Akoto
Ghana midfielder Michael Essien will learn later on Thursday whether he will be retained at Chelsea.
The European champions have released Salomon Kalou and Bosingwa in a massive clear-out as they join striker Didier Drogba who has already announced he will be leaving Stamford Bridge.
The 29-year-old seems to have lost the spark that made him the toast of many since he returned from injury and subsequently fell out-of-favour under interim boss Roberto Di Matteo.
He could only manage the substitute bench during Chelsea’s Champions League triumph over German side Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena last weekend.
The Ghanaian super star who has a year left remaining at the London club, will be invited for new contract talks over the summer, although there is no guarantee that he will stay.
It has been widely reported in the English media that the Chelsea ace will follow Florent Malouda and Paulo Ferreira out of the door.
If Essien is shown the exit-door, he will not be short of offers as Italian Champions Juventus are believed to be interested in the enforcer with AC Milan also keeping an eye on the situation.
He may also opt to join former boss Jose Mourinho at Spanish Champions Real Madrid.