Jose Mourinho: 'Nobody is guaranteed playing time'

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has said that he cannot guarantee Michael Essien playing time.

The 31-year-old midfielder's agent said earlier this week that the Ghana international could leave in January.

"I offer nobody - not Michael, not nobody [guaranteed playing time]," Sky Sports News quotes the Portuguese as saying.

"I understand that players think about national team, the World Cup and playing regularly, but my players have to think of the team before the players. Michael knows that perfectly."

Essien has featured in four Premier League matches for Chelsea so far this season and is not part of their Champions League squad.