Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has decided to include Ghana midfielder Michael Essien in the Blues' Champions League list for next January's winter registration.

The 30-year-old influential midfielder had been dropped from Chelsea's Champions League squad in August after failing to meet Mourinho's expectations.

Essien will replace injured Marco van Ginkel.

"We are going to try to find balances," said Mourinho at a press conference.

"Our squad is our squad. Instead of thinking about the market, we will think about trying to work and trying to improve the team."

Essien hit top form in Ghana's recent World Cup qualifying matches, helping the Black Stars defeat Egypt 7-3 on aggregate and secure the team's place in Brazil in 2014.

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