Nigerian John Obi Mikel celebrates scoring for Chelsea last season. PHOTO/File
LONDON, March 29 – John Obi Mikel has no intention of seeing out the final year of his contract at Chelsea if he cannot be guaranteed regular first-team football.
The Nigeria international is in his 10th season at Stamford Bridge, but has seen appearances in the starting line-up wane over the years.
Mikel has featured more regularly under interim Blues boss Guus Hiddink since he replaced Jose Mourinho at the helm in December 2015, with 14 starts coming from the Dutchman’s 19 games at the helm.
But the 28-year-old midfielder insists he will not go back to sitting on the bench when Hiddink’s successor takes over next term and he plans to sit down with the club’s hierarchy in the coming months to discuss whether his future lies elsewhere.
“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,” Mikel told Goal.
“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.
“Wherever it is, I just want to play. 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.”
Mikel, who was appointed Super Eagles skipper last week, has won two Premier League titles, four FA Cups, two League Cups, the Champions League and Europa League during his time in west London.
