Chelsea transfer news: John Obi Mikel prepared to leave in search of first-team football

On the move? Chelsea midfielder wants first-team football
Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Simon Johnson29 March 2016

Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has appeared to suggest he will leave Stamford Bridge if he is not guaranteed first-team football.

Standard Sport revealed last week that the Nigeria international is considering ending his 10-year stay at Chelsea to move to the Chinese Super League. Clubs in Turkey and the Middle East are also monitoring the situation as the player has just one year left on his contract.

Mikel was frustrated over a lack of playing time under Jose Mourinho but has been a regular since Guus Hiddink was appointed interim manager in December.

The 28-year-old will wait until the summer to resolve his future at Stamford Bridge, but warns he does not want to go back to being a fringe member of the squad.

He told Goal.com: “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. 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.

“It’s not very nice, especially now when you have kids you just want to do what you can to play.

“Wherever it is I just want to play. When this season ends we will definitely sort out the contracts. Legacy is important and I’m very proud and happy that I’ve kept this legacy to be able to achieve what I have achieved.”

The players Antonio Conte wants to transform Chelsea this summer

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Mikel has won 10 major honours with Chelsea but his position at the club looks bleak with midfielders Paul Pogba, Arturo Vidal and Miralem Pjanic on Conte’s summer wish-list along with Nainggolan.

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