Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti was delighted with Michael Essien’s goal scoring return against Crystal Palace yesterday.
Ghana international midfielder Essien, who was out since December with a cruciate knee ligament injury and who also missed his country’s World Cup heroics, managed an hour as Chelsea kicked off their pre-season.
Essien, now age 27, who started in a side made up mostly of reserve team players like Ryan Betrand, scored with a left-foot shot from the edge of the area and was substituted immediately afterwards.
Ancelotti said: “Michael is very important to this team. He has come back very well and is a fantastic player.”