Essien plays for Chelsea XI in friendly

Michael Essien made a surprise appearance for a Chelsea XI that beat Brentford B 2-1 in a friendly on Wednesday.

The 33-year-old ex-Blues midfielder is training with his former club in order to build up his fitness as he looks for a new club, having been released by Panathinaikos.

Brentford had taken the lead in the opening minutes through Danish full-back Lukas Talbro, but goals in either half from Dominic Solanke and Loic Remy turned the result around.

Chelsea used the match to put those training in the ‘loan group’ in the shop window for a move, as well as giving them game time.

In addition to Remy, who has slipped down the pecking order after the arrival of Michy Batshuayi, the Blues side included Lucas Piazon, Kenneth Omeruo, Patrick Bamford, Christian Atsu and Kenedy.

Brentford’s starting line-up featured defender Andreas Bjelland, returning from long-term injury, and non-contract midfielder Emmanuel Ledesma, while striker Philipp Hofmann also saw action.

Midfielders Konstantin Kerschbaumer and Josh McEachran, against his former club, played 45 minutes in the second half.