Mikel To Leave Chelsea In January
The Nigerian, Mikel is yet to play a single minute of Premier League football under Antonio Conte and is now assessing his options ahead of the transfer window
John Obi Mikel will look for a Chelsea exit in January if he continues to be ignored by Antonio Conte.
The Nigerian, Chelsea’s second longest-serving player behind John Terry, is yet to play a single minute under Antonio Conte and has hinted at a falling out with the new manager over his involvement at the Olympic Games.
Without Mikel, Conte has guided Chelsea to top of the Premier League table with the club currently enjoying a six-game winning streak without conceding a goal, but the 29-year-old has no regrets over his summer decision.
“I have never been a guy to make excuses, I never shy away from my responsibilities,” Mikel told BBC World Service Sport.
“Yes, people will say ‘he went to the Olympics’ and ‘he didn’t have a pre-season with the team’ and a new manager came in and was probably upset I went to the Olympics and thinks I don’t care about the team.
“I don’t want to make excuses. In the end of the day, I have to keep training hard and trying to change the manager’s mind. If it doesn’t happen, it doesn’t happen.
“I will keep doing my best and ready for when called up upon. We will see what happens in January.”
Mikel stands by his contribution, he joined Chelsea 10 years ago, having won the Premier League twice and both the Champions League and Europa League once during his spell and is confident his achievement will be remembered.
He continued: “I have been a part of the best years of this club. Chelsea never won the Champions League before, I was there and I was the man of the match in the final.
“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 have done it all.
“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.
“I could say a lot of things which could put me in trouble, but I would rather be quiet.”