Ghana midfielder Michael Essien is targeting a return to Chelsea’s first team after his loan spell to Real Madrid expires at the end of the season.

 

The 30-year-old midfielder was shipped out to the Bernabeu from Stamford Bridge last August, following his recovery from a serious knee injury in 2011/12.

 

Essien’s spell in Spain has also seen him play in both full-back positions and he was at right-back for the second leg of the Champions League semi-final against Borussia Dortmund that ended with the German side heading to the final 4-3 on aggregate.

 

The loan deal allowed Essien to once again team up with Jose Mourinho, who as Chelsea manager at the time had signed the Ghanaian from Lyon in 2005.

 

While speculation mounts over Mourinho’s own future, Essien is keen to re-establish himself at Stamford Bridge and is convinced that his time at Real has shown that he can perform at the highest level.

 

Sky Sports News quotes Essien as saying: “I will return to Chelsea with my head up and try to win my place back. I think my loan at Madrid has shown I have still got it at the top level.”

 

Essien played a part in Madrid’s Champions League exit to Borussia Dortmund in a 4-3 aggregate defeat at the Bernabeu on Tuesday night.

 

Modou Lamin Belay