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Nigeria Captain John Obi Mikel Considering A Future In The MLS

Nigeria Captain John Obi Mikel Considering A Future In The MLS

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.

The Nigeria national team captain is yet to play for Chelsea this season under new manager Antonio Conte, as he was away on national duty with the Nigerian Olympic team in Rio last month, forcing him to miss the London club’s pre-season preparations.

That has meant that Conte relied on other players during the midfielder’s absence, and Mikel will need to work hard if he is to feature in the Italian coach’s plans for future matches.

The Super Eagles captain did not play against Leicester City in his team’s 4-2 League Cup victory on Tuesday, and he is aware that he will need to put his head down and fight for a place in the team if he is to change the current situation.

“I know it is going to be difficult for me to get back into the team because I have missed the whole pre-season,” Mikel told Goal.

“The manager obviously has his philosophy of the way he wants to play and I need time to get back into the way he wants to do things. It will be difficult, but it is one challenge that I am looking forward to. Like everyone knows I don’t run away from a challenge,” he explained.

“I have been at Chelsea for 11 years now, the first day I came I was fighting for my place and I am still fighting for my position,” the 29-year-old said.

“It is remarkable at the end of the day how you fight and you still end up coming out victorious and I will keep fighting for my position and hopefully I will get back into the team.”

MLS an option for John Obi Mikel

The player has been at the centre of transfer speculation for the last year, with his Chelsea contract keeping him at the club until the end of the current 2016-17 season.

Interest emerged from Turkey and China in the previous transfer window, but Mikel has mentioned the possibility of joining former Chelsea team-mate Frank Lampard in the American MLS.

Lampard has been a star for New York City FC this campaign, scoring 12 MLS goals for the club.

“There was absolutely no doubt that Frank wouldn’t go out there and succeed,” Mikel stated.

“I am happy that he is back to his best, doing what he loves to do and, one day, who knows, I may go over there and play with him, or play against him,” the Nigerian international added.