Essien scored the first goal of the 2010/2011 season this afternoon when Chelsea played Crystal palace in a pre-season friendly .Carlo Ancelotti was enthused by his young side's performance in their first outing of the summer on Saturday.
The Italian saw his youthful team win 1-0 at Selhurst Park thanks to a goal from the old man of the side, 27-year-old Michael Essien, who was joined in the starting line-up by fellow first-teamers Petr Cech, Alex and John Mikel Obi.
'We had a good performance and played good football. We had the possibility to see young players from our Academy and this is a good thing for us and also for them to be involved in the first team,' Ancelotti said afterwards, before commenting on Essien's return after seven months.
'It was an important return, he came back very well and played very well. He is a fantastic player, we missed him last season and we hope he can do the best for this season.
'I am happy because this squad won the league and FA Cup, so I am very happy to continue working with this team. I don't think we need to change.'
The lack of senior pros in the side was due to their participation in the World Cup, but their absence allowed an opportunity for the manager to take a look at some of the reserve and youth team players, including substitute 15-year-old schoolboy Nathaniel Chalobah, who is already in the England Under 17 squad with Josh McEachran, who started against Crystal Palace.
'[Chalobah was born in] 1994, so young, and for him it is important to stay with us for some time. His team will be the youth team for next season,' Ancelotti explained. '[McEachran] has to improve, he has fantastic skill, is in the national Under 17 team and has his future.
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