Abramovich to block Mourinho's move for Essien

ROMAN ABRAMOVICH will block Jose Mourinho's £18million move for Michael Essien. But one change at Chelsea set to go ahead is ex-midfielder Roberto Di Matteo's return to the club as new coach and No 2 to boss Andrea Villas-Boas.

Former Blues chief Mourinho is keen to capture Ghanaian midfielder Essien, 28, to add power and strength to the heart of his Real Madrid side.

But billionaire owner Abramovich insists Essien goes nowhere - certainly not to join Mourinho.

Mourinho signed Essien for Chelsea in a £24.4m deal in August 2005.

The player has four years left on his current £110,000-a-week contract and is happy to stay at Stamford Bridge.

A top Chelsea source said: "Abramovich is not going to sell."

Di Matteo has been looking for a new challenge since being sacked by West Bromwich Albion.

He will replace Paul Clement, coach for two years with Carlo Ancelotti, who has been put on gardening leave.

Gianfranco Zola could also be joining the Bridge coaching staff.