John Terry, captain of English side Chelsea, says there is no malicious element to the game of his Ghanaian team-mate Michael Essien.

Essien has until Wednesday to respond to a UEFA charge of gross unsporting conduct following a challenge on Liverpool's Dietmar Hamann during their recent Champions League game.

The 23 year-old has since apologised to Hamann, was also involved in a similarly controversial tackle on Bolton's Tal Ben Haim earlier in the season.

However, Terry insists Essien takes a firm approach to his game only to help drive the team to victory.

The England defender said: "He is a very quiet lad, but obviously people change when they go on the pitch and he is fighting for his Chelsea place.

"If he does not perform and win his tackles, then someone else will take his place.

"There have been a couple of challenges which everyone is talking about, but seeing him in training he certainly goes in to win the ball and that is part of his game.

"I don't think he has tried too hard to make his mark. He's done that with his footballing skills.

"Midfielders are in clubs to win tackles when games are tight and that's what he does."

Meanwhile, Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho refused to directly comment when asked about Uefa's decision to charge Essien but intimated he was very unhappy with the unusual step.