Essien will stay at Chelsea

Michael Essien's agent Fabien Pivateau has announced that the Ghana international midfielder will not be leaving Chelsea this summer, despite the interest of Real Madrid.

The agent said: "There's absolutely no chance of Essien leaving Chelsea. It is not true that the club's new coach Villas-Boas wants to release Michael. In fact the new coach knows Essien very well having worked at the club before and he knows what Michael can do for the club.

Michael is also focused on staying at the club because he has a very good relationship with the team's supporters, the new manager and the club owner. He is not leaving."