Michael Essien’s return to Chelsea is a major source of worry to Nigerian  John Obi Mikel.
What would be the future of John Obi Mikel at Stamford Bridge with a fully fit Michael Essien in the squad?
That is the million pound question observers are asking as the Ghana international prepares to return to Chelsea after a season-long loan spell in Madrid.
Michael Essien will complete his loan to Real Madrid at the end of the season, and the midfielder is targeting to bench John Obi Mikel, and claim a first team shirt on return to Chelsea.
Essien was shipped out to the Bernabeu from Stamford Bridge last August, following his recovery from a serious knee injury in 2011/12.
His spell in Spain has also seen him play in both full-back positions, and he was at right-back for the second leg of the Champions League semi-final against Borussia Dortmund that ended with the German side heading to the final 4-3 on aggregate.
“I will return to Chelsea with my head up and try to win my place back,†Essien said on teamtalk.com.
“I think my loan at Madrid has shown I still have got it at the top level.â€
The loan deal allowed Essien to once again team up with Jose Mourinho, who as Chelsea manager at the time had signed the Ghanaian from Lyon in 2005.
While speculation mounts over Mourinho’s own future, Essien is keen to re-establish himself at Stamford Bridge and is convinced that his time at Real has shown that he can perform at the highest level.
Essien’s return to Chelsea, with Mourinho in charge, may see Mikel suffer neglect on the sideline.
Chelsea wrote on the club’s website, “ Jose Mourinho has shown his faith in a player who served him well during his time at Stamford Bridge by handing him starts in big matches, against the likes of Manchester City and Barcelona, and in defence versus Borussia Dortmund.â€
With 17 Spanish League appearances and a couple of high-profile Champions League caps, Essien looks primed for a prominent role in Chelsea’s campaign next season.
Â