<<Print>>

Michael Essien has revealed he left Chelsea for AC Milan as he wasn�t getting enough game time under manager Jose Mourinho. The Ghana international, who has made just 12 appearances in all competitions for the Blues this season, spent eight-and-a-half years with the Premier League club before joining the Italian giant on a 17-month deal. �Why did I play so few games this season? I don�t know, it was Mourinho�s decision,� Essien told reporters. �I know in Serie A the atmosphere is not as hot as in England, but it doesn�t matter to me, as long as I play and we win matches.� The 31-year-old is looking forward to playing under Clarence Seedorf at the San Siro, while he has also revealed that Mourinho helped persuade him to move to Milan. �I�m very honored to be at AC Milan, I�m a good friend of [Sulley] Muntari and Kak� and I already know Seedorf,� he said. �When I spoke to Clarence it was very easy to make my decision, I haven�t the desire of going anywhere else. Mourinho told me a lot about Milano, he told me I will settle easily. �When you join a club like AC Milan, you don�t talk about target, you already know you have to go for the best. This isn�t probably the best season in the history of AC Milan, but we�ll do our best to win as much games as possible. My shirt number will be 15. I�m fit to play, all I have to do is train hard and remain at Seedorf�s disposal. �I don�t know Seedorf as a coach, I know he�s been a great player but I�m sure he�ll do as well on the bench.� During his time at Chelsea, Essien won two Premier League titles, the Champions League, a League Cup and four FA Cups.