Michael Essien has been knocked back by Chelsea over a change of shirt number.

The News of the World says the Ghana international hoped to switch from his current No 5 shirt to the No 4 jersey vacated by Claude Makelele, who recently signed for Paris St Germain.

But Essien's No 5 shirt has proved one of the most popular items in the club shop over the summer.

Chelsea did not want to disappoint fans who had splashed out on the new kit with Essien's name and number emblazoned on it.