Chelsea Football Club News

• Nickname:Blues
• Founded:1905
• Manager:Roberto Di Matteo

• Ground:Stamford Bridge
• Capacity:42,440

Jose fears for Essien

13 Aug 2007 - 07:58:45

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Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is unsure whether Michael Essien will be able to play in Wednesday's Premier League game against Reading after the Ghana international sustained a knee injury in the 3-2 win against Birmingham City.

After scoring the winner at Stamford Bridge, Essien had to be substituted and Mourinho is concerned about one of his star players.

"It was something in the knee ligament," Mourinho said.

"He was in pain, I had two midfielders on the bench so I made the change immediately.

"If you asked me, I don't know if he'd be fit for Wednesday against Reading."

On the narrow win, Mourinho added: "It would be better to score five or six goals and win in a different way but the game was great, not just because Chelsea played great attacking football but because Birmingham also were great.

"Teams from the Championship, especially in the first period after promotion, come with a winning spirit because that is what got them promoted.

"They could have scored three and we could have scored six or seven."