Essien targets trophies
08 Apr 2007 - 07:42:20
Injured Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien believes the never-say-die attitude of his Stamford Bridge team-mates will mean the Blues end the season with more silverware.
The Ghana international could make his long-awaited return from a knee injury that has sidelined him for four weeks when Chelsea travel to Spain to take on Valencia in the second leg of the Champions League quarter-final on Tuesday.
Essien wasn't risked in Saturday's 1-0 Premiership victory over Tottenham despite having a fitness test on the morning of the match, but whether he plays against Valencia or not, the former Lyon midfielder believes the Blues will progress despite the first leg 1-1 stalemate.
"For me, one of the best things about this Chelsea team is that we never give up," he said.
"Even when we go behind we can change things around and still come back right up until the very end.
"Luckily, we've got the experience and the strength in the team to be able to do that and it's helped us on many occasions.
"We have to believe that even though we are away from home in the second leg, we can still score goals.
"We have the belief in ourselves that we can do it and get through to the semi-final."
Chelsea have already secured the Carling Cup this season and Essien is looking to add to their trophy haul with the reigning Premiership champions still in contention for the league title, FA Cup and Champions League.
"We've played more games than any other club in England - every three days we've had to play a game and for us the intensity of every game is so great because we are fighting all these competition and want to do well," he continued.
"But I don't find it too hard - my system has got used to it and football is what I love doing.
"I love playing in as many big games at possible. It's what you want and it's what happens when you are at a top club.
"It also means we're doing well. Hopefully, we can win the maximum number of trophies."