Reports are surfacing this afternoon from Chelsea’s Cobham training ground that Michael Essien has suffered a knee injury in training earlier today. With rumours sweeping the internet suggesting cruciate knee ligament damage, the club would only comment:

“Michael Essien suffered an injury to his right knee during training this week. He will undergo tests over the next few days to determine the extent of that injury. Until we have the full results of those tests we will not be commenting further.”

The prognosis won’t be known for a day or two but if confirmed as serious, this news will be a bitter blow for new Blues boss André Villas-Boas as he looks to freshen up the squad ahead of the upcoming campaign. With their interest in Luka Modric now seemingly quashed by Tottenham, this latest midfield setback will surely see Chelsea re-enter the transfer market with more intent.

Worryingly for the player and club is that Essien has previously fallen foul to such an injury; he missed six months of the 2008-09 season with anterior cruciate ligament damage caused while playing for Ghana in September. Essien also suffered medial ligament damage to his left knee in January 2010, forcing the player to miss last year’s African Cup of Nations and World Cup and, with his performances last season not quite up to “The Bison’s” dynamic best, questions have been raised as to just how much these spells on the sidelines have affected Essien’s long-term game.

Ramires’ first-team minutes look the most likely to be boosted by the injury; Villas-Boas likes plenty of energy and industry from his midfield three and the Brazilian was, perhaps, Essien’s main rival for a starting place in the upcoming campaign.

The next few weeks will undoubtedly see Villas-Boas’ first-team start to take shape, and Fantasy Managers will hope the pre-season friendlies, combined with Roman Abramovich’s millions, shed some light on the Chelsea manager’s intentions.