Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel whose first team chances are reportedly under threat following the signing of French midfielder N’Golo Kante has stepped up his game with a goal in the Blues 8-0 thrashing of a local side in Austria.
Mikel Chelsea’s second longest serving player after captain John Terry has fend off competitions from high profiles signing in his position during his time at Stamford Bridge but this time around with the Nigerian yet to sign a new contract they are speculations he could be on his way out following Chelsea’s recent signing of Kante.
However Mikel whose departure has been quashed by Manager Antonio Conte who praised the Nigerian as a hard working professional is making a case to prove doubters wrong going by his performances for Chelsea in their pre season games.
So far he has started all three of their pre season games although he was twice substituted as the manager wants to give all players minutes to build up their match fitness, the Nigerian made his presence on the pitch count against the local Austrian side with a first half goal.
The 29 year old will later in the month leave to participate for Nigeria at the Rio 2016 Olympics where he has been named as one of the overaged players for the Nigeria Under-23s.
