Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has revealed he is set for discussions over his future at the club this summer, while stating he would rather leave in search of first-team action than sit on the bench for another season.
Mikel has been at Chelsea for just under a decade now having joined in 2006 from Lyn in Norway after a brief tussle with Manchester United over his signature.
The defensive midfielder was excellent in his younger years but his best days are behind him, hence why he has lost his place in the first-team at Chelsea to the likes of Ramires, Nemanja Matic and Cesc Fabregas over the past few years.
And, at the age of 28, the defensive midfielder has grown tired of playing as a back-up at Chelsea and has indicated that he’d like to leave this summer in search of first-team football.
“I have one more season with Chelsea but I know when this season ends, we will definitely sit down and try to sort out whatever needs to be sorted out,” Mikel told Goal. “If it means me leaving, fine.
“If it means me staying, then I have to play because one thing I don’t want to do is to sit on the bench like I did before.”
Mikel’s current contract at Chelsea runs out next year and so the Blues would have to sell him this summer to benefit financially from his departure. It, therefore, seems it’s an ideal situation for both parties.
With a new manager set to arrive at Stamford Bridge in the summer – likely Antonio Conte – plenty of money will be spent in the transfer market which would undoubtedly push Mikel further down the pecking order, so he’s keen to find a solution to his problems.
This season, Mikel has made only 18 appearances for Chelsea in the Premier League this season but he’s seen the majority of them come under Guus Hiddink, having only missed one of their last 14 top flight games.
However, with new money to be spent in the summer, the chances of keeping his place in the side look slim.
COMMENTS