Jose defends Essien’s massive price tag

Adrian Curtis

There were suggestions that once again owner Roman Abramovich had spent too much on a player but Mourinho believes Chelsea are simply operating in the real world.

"I know the questions will be around the money, the amount Chelsea had to spend to bring him here but that's the reality of modern football.

"Big teams only want big players, big players are in big clubs, big clubs want to keep their big players.

"The player is here and we think we have a really strong squad with a lot of space for improvement because everyone is very young," Mourinho said.

He added: "I wanted him because I was looking for a player to finish what is a very, very strong squad in every position and every department.

"We believe he is the best we can get for that position. He can play in every midfield position and that is important. He is young, he has a lot of ambition, he wants a lot but has only won in the French league and has not yet had success in European competition

"He speaks French, speaks perfect English and has an empathy with the African players which makes it very easy for him to adapt.

"Lyon play the same system as Chelsea so it is a change of shirt, a change of faces around him but his position on the pitch is just the same. His role in the tactical organisation is very similar."

Essien, who has signed a five-year contract, has secured a work permit and Chelsea are awaiting international clearance for him before Mourinho can decide whether or not to hand him a debut against Arsenal tomorrow.

Essien is not taking a place in the Chelsea starting line-up for granted because there are so many quality midfielders at the club.

"I think we have a big squad here so it is going to be a very tough competition but I'm ready to fight for my place," he said. "It's up to me to show what I can do."

Essien was asked why he had opted to sign for Chelsea despite saying in the past that he would like to play for the champions' title rivals Man United.

"I am in love with the Premiership so when someone asked me which team I would like to play for I said, 'I want to play for one of the big clubs and I'd love to play for Man United'," he explained. "But now I'm pleased to be with Chelsea. I wanted to come to the Premiership and I've signed for Chelsea so I'm very happy."

Essien does not think he will have any trouble adapting to the pace of the Premiership after playing in France "I don't think it will be a problem for me" and insists he is "physically OK" even though the lengthy transfer saga has left him short of match action.

Essien admitted that Lyon's reluctance to let him leave and join the Blues had forced him to insist on a move.

"It was a very difficult situation," he acknowledged. "I told Lyon I am not ready to play for them and that I wanted to come to the Premiership."

Essien rejected comparisons with other midfield stars like Patrick Vieira and former Chelsea transfer target Steven Gerrard insisting "every one has his own style of play."