John Obi Mikel is being linked with a move away from Chelsea in the summer and looking back at his involvement so far this season, we can only describe him as “bit-part” or a squad player.
These reports have intensified over the weekend after Mikel’s agent has revealed that there has been contact with Inter Milan over his availability. His agent John Shittu said:
“Inter? What I can tell you is that I met with my client and the directors and they are interested in him.
He is a great player who won the Champions League and the Africa Cup of Nations, so he is suited to Inter’s standards.
Inter is a possibility, but right now Mikel is a Chelsea player.
I cannot tell you anything more on the negotiations. The fact remains that Mikel now has a contract with the Blues.”
What do you think of Mikel and his situation at the club now? In my eyes the signing of Nemanja Matic was huge and a clear indication that Mikel’s days here are probably numbered. Let’s also not forget, we have Oriol Romeu out on loan at Valencia and due to return to the club in the summer.
I rate Mikel, I always have purely based on his defensive instincts as he often finds himself in the right place at the right time, sitting just in front of that back four. It’s what he does with the ball at his feet that maybe let’s him down and that’s why he gets the stick he does.
I cannot help but feel that there will be major business at Chelsea this summer with plenty of players leaving and unfortunately, Mikel looks like being one of them.