Expect more of these as January draws near

[Jangle]

Injured Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien a doubt for Africa Cup of Nations as hamstring tear sidelines Ghana star for up to four weeks



By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 4:23 AM on 10th December 2009

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Chelsea have confirmed that midfielder Michael Essien will be out for up to four weeks with a hamstring tear.

Pain game: Essien is out until the New Year and could miss the Africa Cup of Nations for Ghana


That could put the Ghana midfielder's participation in January's Africa Cup of Nations in jeopardy. The tournament runs from January 10-31 and Essien faces a fight to be fit in time for the big kick-off in Angola.

Essien suffered the injury moments after scoring the equalising goal against APOEL in the Blues' final Champions League Group D game at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.

Chelsea, who had already won the group, were held to a 2-2 draw by the Cypriot minnows and the Blues have now confirmed that Essien will be missing until the new year.

A Chelsea spokesman said: 'Michael Essien underwent an examination on the
injury he suffered in Tuesday night's Champions League game.

'Results of scans show a tear in his right hamstring. Essien is expected to be out for three to four weeks.'

Essien joins Ivory Coast striker Salomon Kalou, who has a hamstring problem, on the sidelines.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1234672/Injured-Chelsea-midfielder-Michael-Essien-doubt-Africa-Cup-Nations-hamstring-tear-sidelines-Ghana-star-weeks.html#ixzz0ZIMuFqRh

[Karl]

...and from the BoyU group tooo..........

Fingers and toes crossed all the GUNNERS will be up and full of vim!

[Jangle]

sorry to burst your bubble karl, but the Empire doesn't have any African players to lose come January.

[Assasin]

A fit Manu and Aston Villa will be surging in Jan.

[Karl]

...just the part on injuries!

[Zeppo]

Ghana to report Fulham to FIFA over Paintsil release

Ghana are heading for a showdown with Fulham over the reluctance of the English club's manager Roy Hodgson to release defender John Paintsil for the Black Stars' pre-African Cup of Nations camp in December.

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has served notice of it's intention to report the club to FIFA in an attempt to have Paintsil released ahead of January's competition in Angola.

"I don't think we will allow this to happen. We are looking at the national interest here and I don't think that is negotiable in any way.

(continue)

[Jangle]

These English clubs have the audacity to dictate to 'smaller' nations about the use and the release of their players. Even though they are the ones that pay the players and foot their medical bills when they get injured on international duties, I think that is the price that they should pay. These clubs raid and rape Africa for their players knowing full well that the African Nations of Cup comes around every two years. Arsenal/Wegner built their team with African players and then turn around and complain when they leave to play. They get more than value for their money with these same players. FIFA, the whimps that they are, needs to put a stop to this or else they might as well just eliminate the world cup. These big European clubs are trying to dictate the way football is played and how it is managed. Yes their leagues are exciting, but football is not just played in Europe and club football should not nor is not a bigger world spectacle than the world cup.

[Hortical]

Essien caught in Ghana-Chelsea tug of war

/**/ Essien caught in Ghana-Chelsea tug of war Friday, 11 December 2009

Essien is injured but wants to play

Chelsea's Ghanaian midfielder Michael Essien is caught up in an injury tug-of-war between club and country, an English newspaper has reported.

Ghana are set to send one of their own doctors to London to check on the crocked midfielder after Chelsea ruled him out for four weeks.


A hamstring strain suffered in Tuesday’s Champions League clash with Apoel Nicosia is threatening Essien's participation in next month’s African Nations Cup.


Ghana meet on December 27 for a training camp, with the tournament starting in Angola on January 10 – and the Black Stars are desperate for Essien to be there.


Chelsea, who will be gunning for Premier League and Champions League glory next year, want their powerhouse to stay at the club for treatment.


Ghana’s FA are in regular contact with the Blues but are considering sending a member of their medical team to the Blues’ Cobham training ground to assess the 27-year-old.


According to spokesman said: “Our doctors are in contact with Chelsea and we will wait for the advice of our doctors before making a decision.


“We will make that decision based on professional advice.


"We don’t know yet whether we will want Essien to come with us two weeks before the tournament starts.


“If the recommendations from our doctors say we should fly someone over, then we will do that.”


That could anger Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti, who is desperate for Essien to be fit for his side’s run-in.


The spokesman added: “It’s a very important tournament, not only for us but Essien as well because he wants to play.


“What we are interested in at the moment is how we can collaborate with Chelsea to ensure Essien is fit as quickly as possible.”

[Lazie]

These English clubs have the audacity to dictate to 'smaller' nations about the use and the release of their players. Even though they are the ones that pay the players and foot their medical bills when they get injured on international duties, I think that is the price that they should pay. These clubs raid and rape Africa for their players knowing full well that the African Nations of Cup comes around every two years. Arsenal/Wegner built their team with African players and then turn around and complain when they leave to play. They get more than value for their money with these same players. FIFA, the whimps that they are, needs to put a stop to this or else they might as well just eliminate the world cup. These big European clubs are trying to dictate the way football is played and how it is managed. Yes their leagues are exciting, but football is not just played in Europe and club football should not nor is not a bigger world spectacle than the world cup.

Ohhh stop it with the raid and rape punch line Jangle. With the amount of player moving from Africa to the various Euro leagues, wouldn't it make sense to have it during the off season like Concacaf, Conmebol and UEFA?

[Assasin]

well it make sense to them to have it in Jan.

they surely couldn't have it this summer coming.

[Lazie]

well it make sense to them to have it in Jan.

they surely couldn't have it this summer coming.

Its not just this year? Its every other January. You're the manager for Chelsea Anelka gets injuried then only to see Drogba and Kalou jetting off to Africa? Then when a manager nuh sign African players ppl claim dem racist.

[Assasin]

Is it all about the European club? Do you have any idea why they have it this time?

could it be better for financial support?

could it be the ideal condition?

Is it better for the African nations?

etc. It is not all about some club in Europe.

[Jangle]

Or better yet, England can align their league with the other European countries and take a break during the Christmas period and restart in January. The ANC is not a new competition (The Africa Cup of Nations, also referred to as the African Nations Cup (ANC) is the main international association football competition in Africa. It is sanctioned by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), and was first held in 1957. Since 1968, it has been held every two years. The title holders at the time of a FIFA Confederations Cup qualify for that competition.), it's been around now for years, long before it became fashionable for these clubs to buy African players. These clubs have gotten so powerful that they dictate or try to dictate the policies for FIFA.

[Lazie]

Is it all about the European club? Do you have any idea why they have it this time?

could it be better for financial support?

could it be the ideal condition?

Is it better for the African nations?

etc. It is not all about some club in Europe.

The excuse about the temperature doesn't work anymore, remember the World Cup is on the continent this year. Suh why isn't the conditions ideal for the ANC but for the WC? The last time I checked many of the African stars will be playing in the not so ideal conditions come June.

Drogba, Ade, Eto'o are all millionaires. Yuh aware who made them rich? Of course because its Africa everybody gonna get twisted in a bind to defend Africa, but like it or not its their clubs that pay them.

Anyway, mi nuh vex, lets hope Chelsea falter then so the Empire can surge towards title number .... mi lose count to rahtid.

[Lazie]

Or better yet, England can align their league with the other European countries and take a break during the Christmas period and restart in January. The ANC is not a new competition (The Africa Cup of Nations, also referred to as the African Nations Cup (ANC) is the main international association football competition in Africa. It is sanctioned by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), and was first held in 1957. Since 1968, it has been held every two years. The title holders at the time of a FIFA Confederations Cup qualify for that competition.), it's been around now for years, long before it became fashionable for these clubs to buy African players. These clubs have gotten so powerful that they dictate or try to dictate the policies for FIFA.

... yuh realize even if there is a Christmas break they will still miss players when the league resumes? Oh .. and when dem have Christmas break, wha me watch?

In 1968 how many African players were all over Europe compared to now?