Essien Begins Chelsea Pre-Season Without Meeting Ghana FA

Michael Essien has began pre-season training with Chelsea without meeting the Ghana FA over his Black Star return. The 30-year old has returned to London after spending some days in Ghana and Dubai Holidaying. Essien has rejoined Chelsea after spending last season on loan at Spanish giants Real Madrid. The midfielder was supposed to have met Ghana FA officials during his time in Accra to discuss issues relating to his return to the Black Stars. The former Lyon player had said he wanted a meeting with the Ghana FA before declaring his stance on whether to make a return to the Black Star or not. He indeed stated he was looking forward to the meeting in the coming days after the team had returned from their double-header 2014 World Cup qualifiers against Sudan and Lesotho. The Ghana FA had also stated they were willing to meet with Essien over any concerns he had relating to his return. But the defensive midfielder has returned to his club without meeting with Ghana FA officials � putting his return to the Black Stars in great doubt. Some critics believes issues over the returnees to the Black Stars be left entirely as Ghana goes into the final game of a preliminary group towards qualification to next year�s World Cup against Zambia in September. Others also feel strongly all efforts be made to ensure the tagged �rebels� return to the team as it will make the Black Star stronger going forward. The Ghana FA have however maintained their stance of engaging all players towards making them available to coach Akwasi Appiah.