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Mikel at a crossroads

kizinho

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7 years ago

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NEWS: Mikel at a crossroads [New Sports] » Naijacrawl
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Mikel Obi has some tough decisions to make when the transfer window opens in January as more European clubs have shown strong interest in the Chelsea outcast.
Read Also : I Regret Playing for Nigeria - Mikel




The Super Eagles captain has been frozen out at Stamford Bridge since the arrival of former Italy manager Antonio Conte in the summer.

Although he has yet to get playing minutes under Conte, Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr has kept faith with the 29-year-old midfielder, who has guided the Eagles to two successive victories in the Russia 2018 World Cup qualifiers.

Nigeria snatched a stunning 2-1 away win over Zambia World Cup qualifying opener on October 9 in Ndola before subduing stubborn Algeria 3-1 in Uyo on November 12.

Despite Mikel rounding off a good performance with a goal in the defeat of the Desert Foxes, Conte was not amused as he has stuck with Frenchman NGolo Kante and Serbian Nemanja Matic in the defensive midfield.

The Nigerians continued absence from the Blues lineup weekly set tongues wagging, but Conte has supplied the answer.

The situation with Obi Mikel is simple, hes in the squad. He stays with us. We know that, at the end of the season, probably his contract will expire, Conte told reporters recently.

But I dont know what happens now. Hes a player who is part of this squad, and every single game I take my decision about him.

However, Mikel has confirmed he is not on good terms with the former Juventus manager.

Im not that kind of person who wants to find excuses, nor Im trying to escape my responsibilities.

People may think that Conte is angry with me because I did not take part in Chelseas pre-season training camp, but I wouldnt swap my bronze Olympic medal with a starting spot in Chelseas XI. I do not regret to have played in the Olympic Games with my national team, it was a great honour for me, Calciomercato.com quoted him saying.

Mikel, who has won the Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup, Champions League and Europa League since he joined Chelsea from Norwegian club Lyn Oslo in 2006, is expected to leave Stamford Bridge in the summer as a new offer is not forthcoming.

The South Africa 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner arrived at Chelsea under a cloud of controversy. Manchester United had announced in 2005 that they had struck a deal with Lyn Oslo to sign Mikel on a four-year contract initially worth 4m.

However, Chelsea, under Jose Mourinho, later claimed that they had already had an agreement with Mikel and his agents.

The issue was resolved after Chelsea agreed to pay United 12m and Lyn Oslo 4m to terminate the contract Mikel signed with the Old Trafford side.

Mikel, who was a first-team player under Mourinho, Avram Grant, Felipe Scolari, Guus Hiddink, Carlo Ancelotti, Andr Villas-Boas, Roberto Di Matteo and Rafael Bentez, is one of the players who have made headlines ahead of the January window.

He has been linked with a move to mega-rich Chinese Super League side Shanghai Shenhua, Man United, Marseille, Besiktas, Galatasaray and Inter Milan.

Struggling French Ligue 1 side Marseille were reported to have succeeded in convincing Mikel to shun a big-money move to the Chinese Super League, who have reportedly offered the player a 70,000-a-week deal, to help revive the club. According to reports, Les Phoceens are ready to smash their wage structure to make the midfielder their highest-paid player (a 170,000-a-week deal) in a bid to lure him to Stade Velodrome in January.

Mikels agent John Shittu confirmed on Thursday a host of European clubs were interested in his client.

Its very likely he will leave Chelsea in January. There are many teams interested in the player, Shittu was quoted by The Sun as saying.

In the past we spoke with Inter Milan but now there are a lot of Italian clubs that want him. I will not reveal the names, but there are other Italian teams on his trail.

And beware: the clubs in UK, Spain, Germany and even in China know the value of the player and requested information about him.

After a torrid half season that has seen Mikel sidelined at Chelsea, a move is imminent in the transfer window, but he faces a difficult choice with a decision on his next destination with many clubs interested in his services.

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Chelsea: Mikel Obi names manager Lampard should emulate

Victorious

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1 year ago

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SPORTS NEWS: Chelsea: Mikel Obi names manager Lampard should emulate [New Sports News] » Naijacrawl
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Chelsea legend John Obi Mikel has revealed that he wants caretaker manager Frank Lampard to emulate Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp or Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola after his return to Stamford Bridge.Mikel Obi said this while reacting to the sacking of Graham Potter.Chelsea recently sacked Potter and appointed Lampard to temporarily take charge of the first team until the end of the season.Speaking with Dubai Eye 103.8 Sport, the former Super Eagles captain wants Lampar...
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Eden Hazard laziest footballer I know – John Obi Mikel

Victorious

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1 year ago

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SPORTS NEWS: Eden Hazard laziest footballer I know – John Obi Mikel [New Sports News] » Naijacrawl
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Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has described former Blues teammate Eden Hazard as the laziest footballer he has ever seen in his entire life.The Belgian attacker is regarded as one of Chelsea’s best-ever players. Now at Real Madrid, the Belgian has helped the Blues win six major trophies.He left Stamford Bridge for the Santiago Bernabeu for an initial €100 million (£88.5 million) fee in 2019, but could only be described as a flop at the Spanish capital clu...
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Mikel Obi names Chelsea star that never gets the credit he deserves

Victorious

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1 year ago

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SPORTS NEWS: Mikel Obi names Chelsea star that never gets the credit he deserves [New Sports News] » Naijacrawl
Photo: Naijacrawl
Chelsea legend John Obi Mikel has named his former teammate Michael Essien as the Blues star who never gets the credit he deserves.Mikel also described Essien as a powerful machine, adding that the Ghanaian is a gentleman outside of football.Speaking with Dubai Eye 103.8, Mikel said, “Michael Essien never gets the credit he deserves."“We call him the train; he is a powerful machine."“The way he trains as well, every day he is there working." Apart from playing footb...
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