Footy-ghana.com can confirm that Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien has been in touch with the Ghana Football Association hierarchy for some time over his return to the Black Stars.
According to our highly placed sources, Essien spoke with GFA President Kwesi Nyantakyi about a possible return to the Black Stars towards the end of his loan spell with Real Madrid.
Footy-ghana.com understands that he told Nyantakyi that as much as he wanted to return to national team duties, he was unsure about his club football future at the time, since he was out of favour at Chelsea.
Footy-ghana.com has learnt that Essien’s hopes soared when Jose Mourinho was appointed the Chelsea manager, which gave him the assurance that he would get some playing time at last.
Footy-ghana.com can, however, confirm that Essien decided not to announce his return to the Black Stars until he was sure he had Mourinho’s support, hence the initial revelation that he wanted playing time at Chelsea before he returned.
Footy-ghana.com sources reveal that he had talks with Mourinho, who told him to wait until Monday night’s game in the English Premier League between Chelsea and Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Essien had by this time alerted the GFA top brass of his availability pending Mourinho’s approval.
Footy-ghana.com can confirm that Mourinho gave Essien the green light on Tuesday morning, paving the way for Black Stars head coach Kwasi Appiah to include the midfield enforcer in his squad.