Mikel's another doubt as Essien won't feature!

Not only do we have a statement on the Official Chelsea Website stating despite press reports Essien will not be returning to action this weekened, we also now have the news that Mikel is a doubt for this weekend and maybe the rest of the season?!.

So it begs the question, "Who plays in the holding role this weekend?".

Every single one of you reading this will have an opinion and I would like to hear your views, as for Carlo Ancelotti and his staff have exactly the same thought processes running through their minds ahead of another HUGE game this Sunday against Stoke at Stamford Bridge.

Twitter favourite, Juliano Belletti is a contender and has featured a couple of times there for Chelsea and has done quite well but with the game being at the Bridge and alot of sides setting up to play defensive against us, is it worth having a defensive minded player there?

For me personally, I would vote for Ballack to play there. Playing in that position and with (hopefully) alot of the play being in front of him he can pick his passes and keep it simple. He likes a tackle too and isn't afraid of putting his foot in so would do better in that role for me than someone like Deco would.

Deco for me isn't suited to the Physical nature of football in England and especially in the Premier League. He isn't as effective as Ballack defensively so would be better playing next to Lampard ahead of the holding midfielder.

One thing is for sure, Ancelotti has alot on his plate at the moment and with United playing Spurs at Old Trafford on Saturday 24 hours before we play, we could find ourselves 2 points behind them.

Its win or bust right now for Chelsea and Ancelotti. So who would you play there?

KTBFFH!