Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho says he?s is looking up to Black Stars midfielder, Michael Essien to fill the void left by Claude Makelele.

The French player will be sidelined for around three weeks after he was forced out of the weekend win over Newcastle.

But the Portuguese manager says he has found solutions in the Ghanaian player.

Mourinho says Essien can adapt to the role and give Chelsea defensive cover and organize the game.

"Essien can adapt to the role. He can give defensive protection to the central defence, give freedom to Lampard to go into attacking positions, try to play simple and organise the game in the first and second phase," Mourinho said.

Mourinho?s pronouncements seem to have fuelled talk that Chelsea might be unwilling to release the Ghanaian midfielder for the Black Stars? African Confederation Cup campaign in Egypt next year.