Essien's return to first-team duty has, thus far, been greater in terms of impact than any chelsea fan could have predicted. The impressive Ghana international has displayed all the battling midfield qualities that attracted punditry acclaim prior to his sustaining the injury that has dogged his whole season.
If it were not for Essien, the outcome of the Blues' hosting of Manchester City in the press-dubbed 'Clash of the Cash' may have been different, as it was only his first-half goal that separated the two sides.
He possesses a direct style, a willingness to get forward, and an unrivalled box-to-box play that places heavy emphasis on energy.
It is these attributes that team-mate Joe Cole feels Chelsea have sorely missed, and the flair midfielder is quoted by the Daily Mail as saying, "Essien would have made a difference.
"What we've missed is that little bit of pace in the midfield this year. Any team would miss him because he's our engine room," he concluded.
Joe Cole is himself currently sidelined after suffering a similar injury to the one that kept Essien at bay until March. Cole is not expected to be back until the start of next season