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Michael Essien could leave Chelsea and join 'big European club' claims agent
MICHAEL ESSIEN could embark on a new European adventure and leave Chelsea in January, according to his agent.
The 31-year-old's influence on Jose Mourinho's side has been fading, having made just three Premier League appearances this term.
The Ghana international has been plagued by injuries throughout his career, and he could move with a view to improving his chances of more game time at next summer's World Cup.
However, a return to France appears to be off his cards.
"You've got to stop with all that. Michael plays for Chelsea, a big club, so there's no point in dreaming about him coming back to France," Essien's representative Fabien Piveteau told RMC.
"In France, he could only play in Paris, Lyon... but Bastia, Sochaux, without disrespecting them, no. It's impossible for them to take on a Chelsea player's salary."
But Piveteau has hinted that his client could leave Chelsea in the winter with a whole host of top European clubs alerted to his availability.
He added: "It's true that he could leave Chelsea this winter.
"Several big European clubs playing in the Champions League have made enquiries and it should play out in the next 10 days or so. Michael wasn't included in Chelsea's list of players for European competition, so he's free to play in the Champions League with another club."