Essien makes Drogba plea

Michael Essien has pleaded with team-mate Didier Drogba to follow his lead and commit his future to Chelsea.

Ghana international Essien agreed a five-year contract last week, while speculation about the future of Ivory Coast striker Drogba, who is nursing a persistent knee injury, rages on.

The 30-year-old, who scored eight Premier League goals last season, has been linked with big-money moves away from Stamford Bridge this summer, although Essien is quietly confident Drogba will stay in west London.

"Hopefully things will work out for Didier because we need him to stay," said Essien.

"If he can make up his mind it will be good for us.

"He knows what he wants so it is up to him."