However, could it be that Chelsea fans need to prepare themselves for the departure of a man who has in his career in London veered from being a liability when his over-physical approach errs on the side of dangerous to fantastic when he's grabbed a couple of stunning goals from range (especially against Arsenal)?

Well, if you believe the football transfer rumours, the answer could well be 'yes'. The papers have this week reported that AC Milan manager Massimiliano Allegri has planted Essien on his list of summer transfer targets and is keen to bring the player over to Italy in order to add a bit of steel to his midfield. With Silvio Berlusconi promising fans at the club that he is prepared to spend big during the summer months, it could well be that Carlo Ancelotti finds his hand forced by owner Roman Abramovich when it comes to bringing in a few extra pounds to make up for the extortionate sums paid out in January for David Luiz and Fernando Torres. There'll be a fair few Premier League bets placed on a big clear out this summer.

With the Italian club thought to be considering making a bid in the region of £18 million, while admitting they might be willing to add a player or two to the deal in order to achieve what is likely to be an unrealistic valuation for the player from Chelsea, it could well turn out to be the case that Essien waves goodbye to the Stamford Bridge faithful this summer after all.