SUPER Eagles skipper Mikel Obi has held crunch talks with Chelsea manager Antonio Conte concerning his future at Stamford Bridge after being left of the team since the start of the new season.
One of Chelsea's longest serving players who joined The Blues in July 2006, Mikel has not seen any action at all this season. Following the signing of N'Golo Kante from Leicester City, Mikel has been unable to break into the team and with his contract due to end at the season, he has asked for talks about his future.
Mikel said that he had been working hard to play his way back into the team. However, it appears that Conte, the former Italian manager is not happy with the 29-year-old for opting to represent Nigeria at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, where he helped the Under-23 team win a bronze medal.
“I hope I will get some playing time against West Ham but it is down to the manager. He has been open and honest with me and I respect him for that as he has explained the situation and I totally understand.
“When you have been at a club for a long time, these things happen where a club wants to move forward. I just have to be professional, work as hard as I can to try and get into the team, I work twice as hard every day and it’s because I appreciate this club,” Mikel said.
With Kante and Nemanja Matic appearing to form a solid partnership in Chelsea's midfield, Mikel is struggling to even get a place on the bench. Compatriot Victor Moses, however, is thriving under Conte, having been given a new lease of life.
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