Mikel set to save Chelsea career

Mikel Obi

Out-of-favour Chelsea midfielder Mikel Obi has held showdown talks with Blues manager Antonio Conte after being frozen out of the team by the Italian.

The Nigeria captain has yet to play a single Premier League match for the Stamford Bridge side since the beginning of the season.

Mikel revealed on Monday that he had been working hard to play his way back into the team.

“Fighting every day for my place, like all the guys are. Focus, work hard,” the 2013 Europa League winner wrote on Twitter.

Former Italy manager Conte is allegedly not happy with the 29-year-old for opting to represent Nigeria at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, where he helped the national Under-23 team win bronze (Nigeria’s only medal at the competition).

Mikel, who was signed from Norwegian side Lyn Oslo by the then manager of Chelsea Jose Mourinho in 2016, has however turned in a pair of impressive performances for the Super Eagles, guiding them to a 1-0 victory over Tanzania in their 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Uyo in September followed by their 2-1 win against Zambia in their 2018 World Cup qualifier in Ndola on October 9.

With criticisms flying from all directions for his lack of match action at his London club, the 2012 UEFA Champions League winner, who got plenty of playing time under Dutchman Guus Hiddink, has apparently moved to save his club career.

Mikel is competing with in-form N’Golo Kante and Nemanja Matic for a role in defensive midfield and the player, who represented Nigeria at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, confirmed on Tuesday he had spoken to Conte about his frustrations at the club.

“I hope I will get some playing time against West Ham, but it is down to the manager,” the Evening Standardquoted him as saying.

“He has been open and honest with me. I respect him for that. He has explained the situation and I totally understand.