Essien hopes to start trend by agreeing Chelsea stay

Published Date: 23 July 2008 CHELSEA midfielder Michael Essien is hopeful striker Didier Drogba will follow his lead and agree a new contact at Stamford Bridge. Ghana international Essien agreed a five-year contract yesterday ahead of Chelsea's opening pre-season match in China, while Ivory Coast frontman Drogba remained in London to recover from a persistent knee injury. The news of the decision to leave the 30-year-old at Chelsea's Cobham training base to continue his recuperation has increased speculation he will leave Stamford Bridge before the start of the new campaign. "Hopefully things will work out for Didier because we need him to stay," said Essien. "If he can make up his mind it will be good for us. He knows what he wants so it is up to him." Essien, who arrived from Lyon in 2005, will remain at Stamford Bridge... [read full story]