By James Dall Last updated: 8th June 2008
Essien: Staying
Michael Essien has confirmed that he will remain at Chelsea, amid speculation of a move to Internazionale.
Jose Mourinho's recent appointment as manager of Inter has led to inevitable reports suggesting Essien will reunite with the former Blues boss at the San Siro.
However, Essien, who was brought to Stamford Bridge by Mourinho from Lyon in 2005, has insisted he is looking to next term with Chelsea.
"I will go back to Chelsea for the next season and expect to have a great season," he said in the Sunday Mirror.
"We have shown as a club that we can handle disappointments, and I think we will be able to bounce back next season a better side.
"Most of the guys have gone on holidays and they will put the disappointment of the last season behind them.
"The season generally was very disappointing, but that is football. When you put these things behind you, you become stronger."
Essien's agent Fabien Piveteau added: "The player is very happy in London and still has four years left on his contract, so I don't see that he will be moving for the moment.
"In football anything can happen. But Chelsea are a rich, powerful and ambitious club, and he is happy to play for them."
| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Saturday 22nd November | |
| Italy Serie A | |
| 17:00 | Fiorentina vs Udinese |
| 19:30 | Inter Milan vs Juventus |
| Sunday 23rd November | |
| Italy Serie A | |
| 14:00 | Bologna vs Palermo |
| 14:00 | Chievo vs Siena |
| 14:00 | Lazio vs Genoa |
| 14:00 | Lecce vs Roma |
| 14:00 | Napoli vs Cagliari |
| 14:00 | Reggina vs Atalanta |
| 14:00 | Sampdoria vs Catania |
| 19:30 | Torino vs AC Milan |
| Sunday 30th November | |
| Italy Serie A | |
| 14:00 | Atalanta vs Lazio |
| 14:00 | Cagliari vs Sampdoria |
| 14:00 | Genoa vs Bologna |
| 14:00 | Inter Milan vs Napoli |
| 14:00 | Palermo vs AC Milan |
| 14:00 | Roma vs Fiorentina |
| 14:00 | Siena vs Torino |
| 14:00 | Udinese vs Chievo |
| Sunday 7th December | |
| Italy Serie A | |
| 14:00 | AC Milan vs Catania |
| 14:00 | Atalanta vs Udinese |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Sunday 16th November | |
| Italy Serie A | |
| Atalanta 3 - 1 Napoli | |
| Cagliari 1 - 0 Fiorentina | |
| Catania 3 - 2 Torino | |
| Siena 1 - 1 Bologna | |
| Sampdoria 3 - 2 Lecce | |
| AC Milan 1 - 0 Chievo | |
| Udinese 0 - 1 Reggina | |
| Roma 1 - 0 Lazio | |
| Saturday 15th November | |
| Italy Serie A | |
| Palermo 0 - 2 Inter Milan | |
| Thursday 13th November | |
| Italy Serie A | |
| Juventus 4 - 1 Genoa | |
| Sunday 9th November | |
| Italy Serie A | |
| Catania 2 - 1 Cagliari | |
| Chievo 0 - 2 Juventus | |
| Genoa 4 - 0 Reggina | |
| Fiorentina 2 - 1 Atalanta | |
| Inter Milan 1 - 0 Udinese | |
| Napoli 2 - 0 Sampdoria | |
| Lecce 1 - 1 AC Milan | |
| Lazio 3 - 0 Siena | |
| Saturday 8th November | |
| Italy Serie A | |
| Torino 1 - 0 Palermo | |
| Bologna 1 - 1 Roma | |
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Inter Milan | 12 | 27 |
| 2 | AC Milan | 12 | 26 |
| 3 | Juventus | 12 | 24 |
| 4 | Napoli | 12 | 23 |
| 5 | Lazio | 12 | 22 |
| 6 | Udinese | 12 | 21 |
Barca extended their lead, Celtic left it late, Inter remain top and Bayern dropped points.
Barcelona were on fire, Celtic continued their march at the top while Inter Milan left it late in Serie A.
Barcelona continued their great run of form while Inter squeezed past Reggina this weekend.
Newcastle manager Joe Kinnear has admitted to already drawing up a shortlist of transfer targets.
Diego Milito is happy to stay at Genoa after the club rejected an approach from Real Madrid.
Juventus coach Claudio Ranieri has rubbished rumours linking Gianluigi Buffon with a big-money move to Man City.
Juventus defender Jonathan Zebina is set to be sidelined for around three months after having an operation.
Real Madrid are set to meet with Hernan Crespo's agent on Wednesday to discuss a possible move.