Essien to Be Right-back

Avram Grant is expected to start with Michael Essien in the unfamiliar role of full-back

Michael Essien expects to start the Champions League final at right-back rather than in his favoured midfield role, with only one place effectively to be decided in the Chelsea side to start against Manchester United.

The Ghanaian midfielder’s inclusion as a full-back will provide energy and industry down the flank and allow Avram Grant to play Frank Lampard and Michael Ballack in midfield, with Claude Makelele anchoring in the centre in the familiar 4-3-3 formation.

Grant started work on the team’s shape at Chelsea’s Cobham training complex yesterday and will choose between Florent Malouda and Salomon Kalou to complement Didier Drogba and Joe Cole up front. Malouda may well get the nod having been a regular in European competition this term, particularly away from home.