Chelsea icon Michael Essien won't be offered a contract by the club despite playing for the side's reserve in a low key friendly.

Essien featured for the Blues in their 2-1 win over Brentford to increase speculation he could be handed a surprise deal.

But the tireless midfielder is only training with Antonio Conte’s side until he finds a new club.

The Ghana international is hugely regarded as one of Chelsea's greatest players in the Roman Abramovich era, where he won several titles in his nine-year spell.

Essien made 256 appearances in all competitions during his time with the Blues before leaving for AC Milan in 2014.

The 33-year-old is now a free agent after being released just one year into his contract with Greek outfit Panathinaikos.