Panathinakos left Essien out of Champions League playoff squad because he is not 100% fit
Panathinaikos excluded Michael Essien from their Champions League playoff squad in order not to risk the Ghanaian to injury.
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The former Chelsea star is still streets off to gaining 100% fitness following his arrival on a two-year contract.
Essien has been training with his new club since late June but is yet to reach optimum fitness.
He was not part of the side’s 2-1 defeat to Lokomotiva Zagreb in their opening leg of the Champions League playoff on Thursday.
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The club have now revealed the Ghanaian remain very much part of their plans in Europe but wouldn’t want to risk him now.
Essien joined Panathinakos as a free agent after his contract with AC Milan expired in the summer.