Chelsea star Essien no to Real

Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien's agent has suggested that a move to Real Madrid is unlikely. Real Madrid were believed to be considering a 9m GBP move for the Ghana international.

Essien's agent said: "He regularly has Jose Mourinho on the phone because they know each other well and have got on with each other since Jose was in charge of Chelsea.

"But Real Madrid has never really appealed to him. Michael will stay at Chelsea, where he has another four years left on his contract.

"He's very happy there, in a great city and a very good club which comes up against very good teams week in, week out."