After two injury plagued seasons Chelsea star Michael Essien is hoping to go through the campaign relatively unscathed and help the Blues retain their Premier League title. The 27-year-old, who has played all five of Chelsea's pre-season games, is now hoping for an injury-free season to allow him to make a big contribution to what will undoubtedly be a long and hard campaign.
"It is good to have a pre-season under my belt, personally I think I have done well and I keep getting fitter the more games I play," he told Chelsea's website.
"I feel like I am ready for the season and I am looking forward to it so much.
"I think this season could be a big one," the Ghana midfielder added.
"The last two seasons I didn't take too big a part in, I didn't start in one but finished it, then I started okay last season but didn't finish it, so this year has to be a good one and hopefully I will stay injury-free and help Chelsea win some trophies."
Essien admits that he was not too disappointed to be hit by the injury, even though it ruled him out of representing Ghana at the World Cup in South Africa.
"These injuries are part of football, so you have to take them when they come and not get too down about it," he added.
"I know a few years ago it could have been the end of my career but with new technologies, surgery and techniques things are good, so yeah, let's go again this season."
