Chelsea past and present stick together at AC Milan as Marco van Ginkel gives Alex and Michael Essien a lift to training
- Marco van Ginkel gives Alex and Michael Essien a ride to training
- All three players have featured for Chelsea during their careers
- Van Ginkel has struggled to make an impact at AC Milan
Ashley Clements for MailOnline
Chelsea loanee Marco van Ginkel may be struggling to make an impact on the field in Italy, but the Dutch youngster looks to have a tight group of friends, all with something in common.
Van Ginkel, who is currently on a season-long loan at AC Milan, took to Instagram to post an image of himself alongside former Chelsea stars Alex and Michael Essien.
Unfortunately, Van Ginkel's season has been plagued with injury, giving the 22-year-old little time to make an impact at the San Siro.
Marco van Ginkel (right) posted this picture as he drove alongside Alex (left) and Michael Essien
Marco van Ginkel has struggled to make an impact during his loan spell at AC Milan
He has managed just six appearances for Filippo Inzaghi's side, but seemed in high spirits as he chauffeured Milan team-mates Alex and Essien to training on Thursday.
Van Ginkel would surely love to emulate Essien's fruitful career at Stamford Bridge which saw the Ghanaian midfielder win nine major honours including two Premier League titles during his spell in England.
And although Alex spent just four years at Chelsea, the Brazilian still managed to collect two FA Cup medals and was part of Carlo Ancelotti's 2009-10 double wining squad.
Reports in Italy suggest that Chelsea are set to lose out on the £1million they would have been expecting to earn from Milan as part of Van Ginkel's loan deal as the Dutchman looks unlikely to make the 20 appearances needed to trigger the amount.
Michael Essien has been at Milan since 2014 after ending a loan spell at Real Madrid
Essien won three Premier League titles during his time at Stamford Bridge
Alex spent four years at Chelsea during a successful period under Carlo Ancelotti