Former Chelsea captain Marcel Desailly says Michael Essien could be the key to the Blues' Champions League hopes.

Essien, 24, struggled to adapt after joining Chelsea from Lyon in 2005, but is now justifying his ?24m price tag.

"He has been one of Chelsea's best players this season despite not playing in his best position.

"He is powerful, intelligent and good technically - all the qualities you need to do well in the Champions League," Desailly told BBC Sport.

"Essien wasn't yet a top player when he arrived. Lyon is a big club, but it's not Milan, Barcelona or Chelsea," he added.

"But the quality was there and has come through. He's been fantastic."

Ghanaian Essien has mainly been used on the right side of a midfield diamond this season by Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho.

Desailly, who was born in Ghana before moving to France as a child, believes Essien's best position is in the centre, but says he can still influence games from the wide position.

"When Chelsea scored their second goal against Barcelona at the Nou Camp (to draw 2-2 in October), it was Essien who was the inspiration," he said.

"He used his power to get the ball, went forward with pace and then gave the right ball."

World Cup winner Desailly, who spent six years at Stamford Bridge, also urged Chelsea fans to be patient with ?30m striker Andriy Shevchenko.

Desailly currently works for French television and is an ambassador for the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation.

He also supports an orphanage of 140 children in Ghana.