Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has re-iterated that he will consider leaving the club in the January transfer window if he is unable to break into Antonio Conte’s team.
The 29-year-old is one of the Blues’ longest serving players, having been at the club for over a decade, but he hasn’t made a single appearance this season and admitted that he will consider his options if the situation persists.
As reported by BBC Sport, Mikel said: “I will keep doing my best and ready for when called up upon. We will see what happens in January.
“I have never been a guy who made excuses in life, I never shy away from my responsibilities.
“I have to keep training hard and make sure I change the manager’s mind. I have been professional, I train and work everyday with the team and I hope one day I will get to play.
“I have written my name in the history of this football club and I have won loads of trophies. I have played close to 400 games and have no single regret.
“I still want to win more and help the team. Players move on in life but I am relaxed about January. I will speak to the club find the best solution.”
Mikel enjoyed a brief resurgence at Chelsea last season as he helped to steady the side following a chaotic commencement to the campaign, but he has found himself out of favour again since Conte’s arrival at Stamford Bridge.
The Nigerian is capable of winning the ball back effectively- he averaged three defensive actions per game in the Premier League last season- while he can also help to set the tempo, as demonstrated by the fact that he had an average pass accuracy of 90% in the top flight last campaign.
Mikel has won a wide array of trophies since joining Chelsea, lifting the Premier League twice, the FA Cup four times, the Champions League and also the Europa League.
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