Essien Seeking Chelsea Consolation

Michael Essien is determined to help Chelsea to more trophies this season in a bid to make up for the disappointment of missing out on winning the African Nations Cup.Essien's Ghana went out at the semi-final stage of the competition, but Chelsea managed to keep themselves in the hunt for glory on all four fronts while he was back home.
He is set for a defensive midfield role against Olympiacos in the Champions League last-16 tie in freezing Athens tonight - but he believes the superb form of his team-mates in the last two months has left Avram Grant's side with a great chance of more silverware.
"They've done a good job and didn't lose a game," he said. "It didn't surprise me because I know we have the players to do it. The team has done really well, and we have to keep going and continue to win our matches.
"It was very sad to miss out on the African Nations Cup, but you have to forget about the past and look the future. Chelsea have a bright future, and I still have more trophies ahead of me.
"We are still in all four trophies and will work really hard. We have to achieve something and win something this year."
Meanwhile, Chelsea right-back Paulo Ferreira has signed a new five-year contract.The Portugal international, who joined in the summer of 2004, said: "I am delighted to commit my long-term future to Chelsea.
"The fans have made me very welcome since I have been at Chelsea - and I enjoy my football here a lot.
"We have had a lot of success, and I am hoping we have more over the coming years."Ferreira has made 130 appearances for the Blues and scored one goal.
Meanwhile, Chelsea coach Grant insists he will not rest until he has led the club to Champions League glory.
The Blues failed twice at the semi-final hurdle under previous coach Jose Mourinho, but Grant is determined to succeed where he failed.
"Chelsea are a big club already - but if you want to be a really big club and bigger than we are now, we need to be in the final of the Champions League and then do more and more," said Grant.
"You cannot say we are bigger than we are now if we don't get to the final of the Champions League. So this is our target. Our target was to do it within two years, but we want to do it this year.
"We need to go step by step. I personally will not rest until we get to the final."Our target is to reach the final, but we also need to do our job tonight. If we look too far ahead we could lose the moment. So we concentrate on tonight first."— Football365.co.za