Chelsea, currently, have a very decorative central midfield with the likes of Cesc Fabregas, Nemanja Matic, N’Golo Kante and upcoming star Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
Advertisement
He lifted the Africa Cup of Nations with Nigeria in 2013 and competed for his country at the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics, captaining Nigeria to a bronze medal. Now in Stamford Bridge, Mikel is having a hard time finding his own success, admitting that it will be tough for him to start for Chelsea, as he missed much of the pre-season with the club to his commitments to his national team.
With one year left on his contract at the club, he recently admitted that he was “always open to a new conversation, a negotiation [with Chelsea]”.
Mikel has not ruled out a move to the MLS, where he would be reunited with former Chelsea colleague Frank Lampard. “Obviously, I got one year left on my contract, ” Mikel told Goal.com’s Nizaar Kinsella. “One thing is for sure, I will make the best decision”.
Nigerian midfielder John Obi Mikel has mentioned the American Major League Soccer (MLS) as a possible future destination, once his contract with English Premier League club Chelsea comes to an end.
“I will decide where is best for me and my family”, he continued.
Mikel has made 372 appearances in his 11 years at the club and says he has become accustomed to life at Stamford Bridge since arriving there as a teenager.
His situation has once again come of old with Antonio Conte reluctant to play him in the Premier League as he has a long list of players ahead of him in the pecking order.
“I have won everything there is to win with this football club. I think my memories here, my achievements here, are something that no one will ever take away from me”, he added.
Advertisement
Having struggled for playing time so far this season, the future doesn’t look particularly promising, and although he would evidently prefer to extend his stay at Stamford Bridge, he has accepted the inevitable in that he may have to consider new challenges. “Those memories will never go away”.
