Knee Injury: Michael Essien could miss entire season

[emezico]

Ghana international Michael Essien suffered a knee injury during training, forcing new Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas into looking the way of his old club for Joao Moutinho.

Blues fear the key midfielder has again damaged knee ­ligaments and will be out for at least six months and possibly the entire campaign. That would be a huge blow for Villas-Boas just three days into pre-season training. Essien's likely long-term absence will force him to reassess his transfer plans.

Essien has been plagued by problems, missing virtually the entire 2008-09 season after anterior cruciate ­ligament damage to his right knee.