Blackstars and chelsea midfielder Michael Essien yesterday promise to return to his talismanic best.
Essien was as influential as he was adaptable under Mourinho but, much like Chelsea as a whole, has failed to reach his previous heights during the current campaign.
However, the Blackstars midfielder has now declared himself fit enough to return from a calf injury for the game with Middlesbrough on Saturday to help his team try and win three consecutive games for the first time this season.
He said: “I’ve been out injured for a few games, but I’m okay, fit again, and hopefully I can stay fit.
“I’m not used to these injuries, so no more and I’ll be back to my best.” The Blackstars midfielder also said chelsea are still in with a good shout of winning thepremiership back despite a difficult start to the season.
Chelsea are seven points off leaders Arsenal going into the weekend's action but Essien is confident that the Blues can turn it around and win the title back this season.
"Of course we can," Essien said when quizzed over whether Chelsea can win the title. "We have the players and the team to do it, but we also know how hard it will be.
Essien says he was also shocked and disappointed to see Jose Mourinho leave, but insists everyone at the club is fully behind new boss Avram Grant.
"We were all very shocked to see Jose go, and I felt very sad about it, both personally and professionally. He was the manager who brought me to Chelsea and to the Premier League - he helped me a lot to develop as a player, so it has been difficult.
"But it's been a difficult few weeks for the team. We have to back our new manager, though, and go out and win games - for him, for us and for the fans."
