This is the third time that the dynamic midfielder will spend a long period on the sidelines with a knee injury after damaging ligaments in 2008 and 2010.
The Ghana midfielder damaged ligaments in his right knee during a training session last week, the third serious knee blow of his career, and has undergone an operation.
This latest setback will cast doubt over the future of the player, who will need to rebuild his knee and his career for a third time in three years.
The injury came to light last week as Essien stumbled in the first double training session of the season, however, Chelsea were confident that the injury would be a simple twisted knee, but they have confirmed via their website the full extent of the Ghanaian's problem, with a full recovery expected to take up to six months.
A statement on Chelsea's official website read: "Following an injury to his right knee in training last week, Michael Essien had surgery today to repair a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus.
"The surgery was successful and Michael's full recovery could take up to six months."
Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas added: "Everyone at Chelsea wishes Michael well for his recovery. His team-mates and all the staff and I look forward to helping him return to playing as soon as possible."
Meanwhile, Villas-Boas has revealed his desire for Chelsea to win with style this season.
The new Chelsea manager moved to Stamford Bridge from Porto, who scored a remarkable 145 goals in 58 games during their title-winning campaign last year.
Villas-Boas worked at Chelsea under Jose Mourinho, whose more pragmatic style reportedly frustrated the club's owner Roman Abramovich.
But the 33-year-old believes the key to success for Chelsea, who are chasing their first Champions League crown, will be to take the shackles off.
"You free them (the players) from the limitations that they might have in a different kind of system but, in the end, you make them believe in their qualities and this is the most important thing," Villas-Boas told Chelsea magazine.
"The club hasn't stopped in time since I left, it has evolved in various ways but to have the kind of empathy that I have with the people is decisive.
"It goes from top to bottom and it's with people who meant a lot to me when I was here.
"We had a good three-and-a-half years here and recalling all these people, what they are able to do and what their ambitions are, is something important to me.
"I think we are on for a great season.
"Coming here is not just a question of big, radical changes. You have to be clear in what you do and decide well and I'm confident that we have enough people with the quality here to go forward."
Chelsea are reportedly ready to increase their offer for Tottenham midfielder Luka Modric to £27million, having had a £22million bid rejected earlier in the summer.
Modric was told by Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy that he was not for sale but still wants to leave, claiming a move to Chelsea would be a "dream".
The 25-year-old told Croatian newspaper Sportske Novosti: "There is no doubt that Chelsea want me - they sent a concrete offer to Tottenham.
"I know that the new Chelsea boss said he wants me in his team. Of course I am flattered by this interest in me - it's a club that all players dream of joining, fighting for every competition available.
"It wasn't a snap decision - I talked a long time with my family and people whose opinions I respect. I thought about it, weighed it all up, and finally decided this was the best option."
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