Mikel Obi, the former Super Eagles captain and the second-longest serving player at Stamford Bridge after John Terry, chose national duty over club commitments. He claimed to have regretted that decision when he decided to play for Nigeria's Dream Team VI in Rio. This decision meant he missed out on Chelsea's pre-season preparations, a critical time for players to establish their place in the squad, especially under a new manager.

In a recent live interview with Livescore, Mikel shed light on how this choice ultimately led to his exit from Chelsea. Mikel said his commitment to representing Nigeria at the Olympics did not sit well with Conte, who was looking to build a new team dynamic. Despite his years of service and loyalty to the club, Mikel found himself sidelined upon his return, struggling to regain his place in the squad.

The Rio Olympics were a proud moment for Mikel, who helped lead Nigeria to a bronze medal. However, the personal sacrifice was significant. His absence during pre-season saw him fall out of favour with Conte, and he was unable to secure a regular spot in the team thereafter, eventually leading to his departure from the club in January 2017.